Who Among You Is Holy?

Can man be holy? Some would scoff at the suggestion saying that only God is holy. Others would insist that man can be holy because God is holy. There are even those that would suggest that man cannot be holy and only woman can be holy. The third group misses the point. Looking around the world at the depravity and desecration that takes place on a moment-to-moment basis would leave even the staunchest believer quivering at the thought of naming any individual holy. From churches high in the mountains of distant lands to bars buried in the swamps of the lowlands there is a common denominator. All those creatures that inhabit those places, those flesh wrapped stumbling masses that think themselves behemoths on this planet but are mere specks on a hurtling globe, they are all scarred by the remnants of a plague that hit many thousands of years ago. That plague was brought on by this very creatures actions and has the common name of sin. Certainly man has given it other names to try and take the edge off. But the fact still remains that it marks us all and there is nothing we can do to remove it. But then we come to Christ, and he washes that sin away by His power, right? That is true, but does that really give us reason to consider ourselves holy? Well, it depends on how you view holiness. Is the characteristic of that most blessed adjective one that elevates us to God-like status and gives us carte blanche over the rest of creation? If that is your definition of holiness, then without doubt not a single person can be holy. But what about viewing holiness in another light. What if holiness when applied to man speaks not of the works or actions of that man, but of the impartation of characteristics given by a superior God? What if holiness is belonging to God and living in obedience to him? What if holiness means being set apart by God's power and glory? Can man then be considered holy? The answer can be answered most affirmatively and negatively yet does not relay a paradox.

We can be holy as the Israelites were holy.

The Israelites were set apart by God and were in covenant with God, showing his power over them as well as their uniqueness in His eyes. This is much as the Christian today enters into covenant with God upon accepting Jesus and showing belonging to that God through the work of Jesus. For both the Israelite and modern day Christian, this covenant then begins a relationship of obedience and dedication to that same God. So yes, many today can be considered holy. But make no mistake that no man, no matter how perfect they may seem, no matter how reverent they may become, can never match the holiness when measured against God. The slippery slope of believing one to be near equal to God is traveled when any person believes themselves to gain near God-like status. A myriad of cults and religions throughout time have shown us the outcome of such belief. The more the person believes themselves to be God-like, the harder reality hits them when they fall. There is a uniqueness to God that will never be matched. We should all shout for joy that it can never be matched. So be holy if you are holy. Just remember how you got that way.