Writing about a deficient understanding about God’s holiness among modern Christians, Drew Dyck describes how that deficiency is not only apparent in a lack of understanding, but is also apparent in a corresponding deficiency in our personal character.
We lack a practice of personal holiness because we’ve lost a theology of divine holiness. When we neglect a part of God’s nature, we shouldn’t be surprised when that same attribute goes missing in our lives. Missionary Lesslie Newbigin saw a clear link between God’s holiness and ours:
“We need to see this God of Israel in both his wrath and his infinite mercy. We need to learn a holiness that rejects all compromise with evil and a generosity that seek and saves the lost. We need to learn to know God as he is.”
The Bible repeatedly makes explicit the connection between God’s holiness and ours. “Be holy,” God says, “because I … am holy” (Lev. 19:2) The New Testament echoes this theme. “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Pet. 1:15).
We will never be perfect. Not on this side of eternity. But when we gain a fuller vision of God, our lives will begin to reflect his holiness.Drew Dyck, Yawning At Tigers, Nelson Books, 2014, pgs. 45-46.
