Readings for today: Ezekiel 31-32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalms 113-114, Proverbs 27:18-20
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
Holiness has fallen on hard times. In my experience, very few Christians desire holiness much less “strive” for it. We much prefer grace. We much prefer unconditional love. We much prefer a god who never judges. Never confronts. Never demands. Consider the rash of pastors who have fallen recently into sexual or financial sin. Almost without exception they refuse to submit to any kind of disciplinary process. Almost without exception they end up starting new churches with names like “second chance”or “sanctuary.” And almost without exception their “new” message is all about love. All about the radical nature of God’s grace. All about the unconditional nature of God’s forgiveness. What’s rarely preached is the need for repentance. An intentional turning away from our sin. The clear expectation from Scripture that those who follow Christ will deny themselves and pursue a life of holiness before the Lord.
Israel understood the importance of holiness. After all, they were confronted by God Himself at Mt. Sinai and it clearly left an impression! “For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear." (Hebrews 12:18-21) Imagine being in the congregation and hearing God’s voice like the sound of thunder. Imagine being brought to your knees at the sight of God descending from heaven and lighting an entire mountaintop on fire. Imagine an experience of God so terrifying, you fall on your face in fear for your life. This is what Israel encountered in the wilderness after they had been delivered from slavery in Egypt. And the call of God to His people was clear. “Be holy as I am holy.”
Fast forward to Jesus. To the saving death and resurrection of Christ. Christians are living in light of the 2nd Exodus. The great deliverance of God’s people from sin. No longer do we need to be afraid. Christ has taken the punishment we deserve on Himself. Christ has satisfied the just demands of the Law. Christ has turned aside the Father’s righteous anger by taking our place. So rather than approach God in fear, we can approach God in confidence. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24) As we gaze into heaven itself, our hearts should be filled with an even greater desire for holiness. An even greater desire for righteousness. Motivated by the great love God has shown for us, we turn aside from our sin. Surrender to His will. Deny our base desires and walk in the obedience He demands.
Is this legalism? No. Legalism is the outward adherence to the Law with no inward change in the heart. Is this works righteousness? No. We cannot earn God’s favor or love through our own effort. Is this dead religion? No. Going through the motions of empty ritual has nothing to do holiness. The motivation that drives our striving for holiness comes from a eternally grateful heart for the gift God has given. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken…” This is why we pursue holiness. This is why we approach the throne of grace with reverence and awe. This is why we offer to God the worship He demands and the worship He deserves. For God indeed is a consuming fire. He consumes all that is sinful inside us as He makes us more like Christ.
Readings for tomorrow: Ezekiel 33-34, Hebrews 13, Psalms 115, Proverbs 27:21-22