The Unapproachable Purity of God

In the vast expanse of theological discourse, few attributes of God are as profound, pervasive, and pivotal as His holiness. It is not merely one characteristic among many, but rather the very essence of His being, permeating all He is, says, and does. To speak of God's holiness is to acknowledge His absolute separateness from all creation, His intrinsic moral perfection, and His utter purity, untainted by any semblance of evil or imperfection. The KJV Bible consistently presents God as uniquely holy, setting Him apart as the standard by which all else is measured.

The prophet Isaiah, in a breathtaking vision, heard the seraphim proclaiming, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3). This threefold repetition signifies the superlative degree of His holiness – it is not just a quality He possesses, but the very definition of His nature. It is an attribute that evokes awe, reverence, and a profound sense of His majesty. The Lord Himself declares in Leviticus 11:44, "For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy." This divine command underscores that holiness is not an optional extra for His people, but a reflection of the God they serve. As 1 Samuel 2:2 affirms, "There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God." This establishes God's holiness as unparalleled and foundational to His identity as the one true God.

God's Holiness Revealed in Creation and Law

The holiness of God is not an abstract concept confined to heavenly realms; it is profoundly revealed in His interaction with His creation and, most notably, in the giving of His Law. While creation itself, though marred by sin, still bears the imprint of His glorious order and design, it is in the explicit declarations of His statutes that His holy character is most clearly articulated. The Law, given to Moses at Sinai, was not merely a set of rules, but a mirror reflecting the righteous and perfect will of a holy God. Every commandment, every ordinance, every prohibition served to define the boundaries of a life pleasing to the Holy One.

The very approach to God's presence at Sinai was marked by extraordinary measures to emphasize His holiness. The people were commanded to set bounds about the mount, lest they touch it and die (Exodus 19:12). This dramatic scene underscored the immense chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity. Similarly, when Moses encountered God at the burning bush, he was commanded, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5). This immediate demand for reverence in the presence of the divine highlights that God's holiness intrinsically transforms His surroundings. The Psalmist declares, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalms 19:7). The perfection of God's Law is a direct outflow of His perfect holiness, designed to guide humanity towards righteousness and life.

God's Holiness and His Justice

A direct consequence of God's absolute holiness is His unwavering justice and His righteous judgment against sin. Because God is perfectly holy, He cannot tolerate evil or look upon iniquity with approval. His very nature demands a response to sin, which is a direct affront to His purity. This is why the wrath of God is a necessary extension of His holiness, not a contradiction of His love. Habakkuk 1:13 states, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity." This verse powerfully conveys the incompatibility of God's holiness with sin.

The KJV Bible teaches that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). This wrath is not arbitrary anger, but a just and holy indignation against that which violates His perfect standard. It is the necessary reaction of absolute purity to absolute defilement. The solemn warning in Hebrews 12:29, "For our God is a consuming fire," reminds us of the destructive power of His holiness against all that is unholy. This aspect of God's character is both terrifying and comforting: terrifying to those who persist in rebellion, but comforting to those who seek justice and long for the eradication of evil. His holiness guarantees that ultimately, all wrong will be made right, and evil will not prevail.

God's Holiness and His Presence

Throughout the Old Testament, the concept of God's holiness is inextricably linked to His presence, particularly within the Tabernacle and later, the Temple. These sacred structures were meticulously designed according to divine instruction, serving as physical representations of God's dwelling place among His people. Every detail, from the materials used to the rituals performed, emphasized the profound holiness of the One who resided there and the strict requirements for approaching Him.

The Holy of Holies, separated by a thick veil, was the most sacred space, where God's presence was uniquely manifested above the mercy seat. Only the high priest, once a year, on the Day of Atonement, could enter this sanctified space, and even then, only after elaborate purification rituals and with the blood of sacrifices. This was a stark reminder of the immense holiness of God and the danger of unholy access. "Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat." (Leviticus 16:2). This restriction was not arbitrary but a protective measure, safeguarding humanity from the consuming power of unmediated divine holiness. The question posed in Psalms 24:3-4, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully," beautifully encapsulates the moral and spiritual prerequisites for dwelling in the presence of a holy God.

Man's Response to God's Holiness

Given the overwhelming reality of God's holiness, the appropriate response from humanity is one of profound reverence, awe, and a diligent pursuit of personal holiness. Recognizing God's absolute purity should lead us to a deep awareness of our own sinfulness and a sincere desire for repentance. The call to holiness is not merely a suggestion but a divine imperative for those who claim to belong to God. As 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." This command extends to every area of life, influencing our thoughts, words, and actions.

This pursuit of holiness, or sanctification, is a lifelong process of growing in conformity to the character of Christ. It involves actively "cleans[ing] ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). It is a striving that stems from a love for God and a desire to please Him, knowing that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). This does not imply that our own efforts earn salvation, but rather that true salvation inevitably leads to a transformed life that increasingly reflects the holiness of the God who saved us. Our response to His holiness is therefore not merely a passive admiration, but an active, Spirit-empowered transformation.

Christ: The Embodiment and Mediator of Holiness

The ultimate revelation and mediation of God's holiness is found in Jesus Christ. He is not only perfectly holy in His own divine nature but also lived a perfectly holy human life, utterly without sin. He is the "high priest [who] became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26). In Christ, the unapproachable holiness of God becomes approachable, not by diminishing God's purity, but by providing a perfect sacrifice that atones for human sin and bridges the chasm between a holy God and unholy humanity.

Through His atoning death and resurrection, Jesus Christ makes it possible for sinful individuals to be declared righteous and to be made holy in God's sight. "He hath reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight" (Colossians 1:22). It is through faith in Christ that we receive His imputed righteousness, and it is by His indwelling Spirit that we are progressively sanctified. The hope of seeing Christ again motivates believers to pursue purity, for "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3). Christ is both the standard of holiness and the means by which we can attain it.

Conclusion: Living in Light of God's Holiness

The holiness of God is not an abstract theological concept but a living truth that demands a radical response from every individual. It calls us to worship Him with profound reverence, recognizing His infinite majesty and absolute purity. It compels us to confess our sins, knowing that His holiness cannot countenance iniquity, yet His grace provides forgiveness through Christ. It challenges us to pursue personal holiness, striving to live lives that reflect His character, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Understanding God's holiness transforms our perspective on sin, judgment, salvation, and the very purpose of our existence. It reminds us that our ultimate destiny, for those in Christ, is to dwell in the eternal presence of the Holy One, where "there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation 21:27). As the heavenly hosts continue to cry, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" (Revelation 4:8), may our lives increasingly echo that glorious declaration, living as a testament to the unapproachable purity and matchless perfection of our God.