My brother told me once he thought God was like a high voltage power line. His point was that you must approach a power line on its terms. You do not run willy nilly toward high voltage. I've been reading Leviticus. God seems to keep saying to people, "I want to have relationship but you need to know about my nature. You cannot approach me on your terms." The whole sacrificial system is built on the idea of approaching God on his terms. God was always setting the stage for Jesus. People are always asking why Jesus has to be the only way. It's like a little child asking, "Why can't I just grab the wire? Why do I have to wear a glove? That is not fair." Anyway, it struck me today as I was sitting praying after reading Leviticus. I love that Jesus calls me his friend. But I never want to forget that God is not my buddy. He is holy and wildly powerful and the price that was paid for me to make it safe to talk with him was enormous. So, I worship. "Call me Dad" he says. I do, but I also call him "Sir" sometimes. In the ancient languages it is "Lord".
Join in realizing the vision of Christ Community Chapel with Senior Pastor Joe Coffey
2 comments:
So true Joe. God is Holy and I tend to forget that. In Isaiah 6:2-3 the seraphs are flying around declaring the Holiness of God. Since God is sovereign and he decided what those seraphs would say and they could have declared the love of God or the faithfulness of God but they declare the Holiness of God. (I heard this from someone - not my own observation but it is such an neat piece of scripture I had to share it)
Pastor Joe, Thanks for the reminder about God's holiness. God is not one to be trifled with!
Isaiah 6:1-8 has helped me see that a glimpse of His actual and absolute holiness results in me crying out, "Woe is me!" But next comes the reminder: "See, your sin is atoned for!" Then, in gratitude for Christ crucified my response is, "Here am I, send me!"
Next week the church library will have 5 copies of the audiobook version of The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges read by Alistair Begg.
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