Grace and Holiness

Is it possible for us to be so caught up in trusting the grace Jesus has given that we forget the holiness of God? This was the question I asked myself after bible study today. I am not sure of an answer, but it does make for interesting pondering sessions.

Bible study centered around Isaiah's sixth chapter where he has a vision of standing before God's throne of glory and being cleansed of his unclean lips by the live coal that the Seraphim took to him. After his lips were cleansed, he was eager to go to the people and share his experience with the Holy God that is high and lifted up. Isaiah became a prophet, a mouthpiece for God, telling of coming destruction because of the people's sin of unfaithfulness to their one and only true King. He was also granted the blessing of sharing messages of hope that would come through the Messiah, Jesus.

Isaiah had a difficult job ahead of him and God let him know ahead of time that the people would not listen and that they would choose destruction over grace and healing. But Isaiah had stood before Holiness. He had his sin atoned for by the fire. His guilt of his own faithlessness was removed and so, he spread the message.

I, too, have experienced the truth of my sin and have stood before a cross knowing it was my atonement. I have been made aware of resurrection power that wiped out all of my guilt, not by my own ability, but by the cleansing if God's Son, Jesus. Now, God says, who will go? I say, send me!

Today, I write that there is a God who is sovereign over all governments of the world. He is holy beyond what we can imagine. Unless we stand before His holiness and experience the woe of our sin, we can never seek or receive the grace Jesus gives.

Isaiah tells us that God says "If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all." (Isaiah 7:9b). We must believe in a Holy King before we can live under grace. Following God is not easy. We must give up our own ideas of good. We must stop our rebellion against His law. We must stand firm against injustice. We must protect life when sin would destroy it.

I am stepping down from my soapbox now, but I leave you with a final encouragement. The Holy God loves you even in your rebellion, faithlessness, and injustice for others. We must hold onto grace as we keep our eyes on our Holy, Glorious Almighty King!