Holy

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Isaiah 57:15*

God is Holy. It’s not only His nature, it’s also His name. That’s who He is. Holiness itself is defined by the character of God. That which is godly is holy. If something is ungodly, it’s sinful and sinners can’t stand before a Holy God. His holiness is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29) that would destroy a sinner presumptuous enough to try to approach Him.

The scene in heaven revealed in Revelations 4:8 shows the four living creatures worshiping God and chanting day and night: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” A triad of holies is lauded to the Triune God. After all, each person in the Trinity is Holy: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Because Christ is Holy, He voluntarily took on the sins of the world Himself by becoming sin for us (Romans 5:21). This is why, when the Holy One of God died at the hands of sinful man, a miracle took place. Instead of planet Earth melting away in the universe in a torrent of divine wrath, grace was poured out, transforming sinners into men and women set apart for God. They became holy.

Peter writes, “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written; Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16). Just how neat is that? One of the most sublime titles of Christ is extended to the child of God. Just like the Redeemer, we can be Holy.

*see also Hebrews 7:26; Revelations 3:7