When I hear the word 'holy' in relation to a person, I think dull, boring, judgemental, critical, holier-than-thou. I don't imagine I will have anything in common with them and I don't really want to get to know them.
When I hear the word 'holy' in relation to God, I think distant, separate, untouchable, wouldn't understand. I picture the holiness of God as something that I would be scared to approach, for fear of my own undeniable and inherent unholiness. Even though I know the Bible says we can approach God's throne boldly through Jesus, the idea of God's holiness still makes me feel uncomfortable.
But when I hear holiness like this, my thoughts change:
"Holiness is the most attractive quality, the most intense experience we ever get of sheer life - authentic, first-hand living, not life looked at and lived from a distance ... Holiness is a furnace that transforms the men and women who enter it.
Wow.
This view of holiness is interesting, beautiful, attractive, life-giving, transforming, inviting.
And this is what Jesus offers. Holiness, a whole-life. Aren't they the same thing? Holiness is a full life, a real life, an exciting life, a transformed life. And it is a life that is possible through Jesus.
"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."
This is the view of holiness I want. This is the kind of holiness I want in my life.[John 10:10 MSG]
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