Theology
Proper - Who is God? Lesson 17
d. Holiness > +R/J > God's Integrity
1. Intro: This is the basic Attribute;
the foundation attribute;
It is the most central, descriptive attribute of
God's being. As an epithet to God's
Name, "Holy" is what
you find most, not "His mighty name," or "wise name."
2. Meaning: To be adequately grasped, the
holiness of God must be described negatively and positively.
·
Negatively: Holiness is that perfection
of God that totally separates Him from all that is evil and defiling and
common.
The nature and actions of God are free from any
impurity or evil of any kind whatsoever.
* Positively: Holiness refers to the absolute integrity and purity of the nature of
God.
It means He is always
absolutely pure and therefore distinct from all others.
Or to put it another way God can do no
wrong!
- He
has a love for what is right and good.
> Righteousness
- And a hatred for what is evil,
sin. > Justice
This is also the attribute that does something else,
it separates man from God.
This is the attribute that says there is only one
thing that I can love.
Holiness has to do more with the pure character of
God itself while righteous and justice express that character in God's relationship with and governing of the affairs of His
creatures, angels and mankind.
So think of these next two perfections of God as the
outworking of God's holiness in God's government in the universe.
* Righteousness
is that attribute of God which leads Him to always to think and do what is
right or act in perfect goodness in relation to men and angels. He loves what is right and good!
* Justice
refers to that attribute of God which vindicates the righteousness of God, not
vindictively or in vengeance, but in holy justice.
3. Scripture for Qadash:
Rem the idea of separation is always
there. [examples
of how used] Qadash:
vd;q'
1. Ex
2. Ex 29:21 - used of people and things:
3. Isa 65:5 - distance based on Holiness
- Holiness then says keep away from
God.
- How can we approach a God who loves
only perfect righteousness and hates all sin.
- It is God's Holiness that erects a
barrier between God and man.
4. Ex
3:5 - see an example of Holiness being that attribute that says stay away.
5. Holiness is expressed in two ways in
the WOG.
There is the legislative or executive branch--God's
righteousness, and the judicial branch--God's justice.
Holiness has to do more with the pure character of
God itself while righteous and justice express that character in God's relationship with and governing of the affairs of His
creatures, angels and mankind.
In righteousness we have the manifestation of God's
love of holiness, of what is right and good.
In justice, we have the manifestation of God's
hatred of sin. Habakkuk
6. Documentation - scripture for #1 -
righteousness.
a.
Job 34:10 > says God is righteousness and He can have no part in sin and
wickedness.
God can only accept perfect
righteousness because that is what He is!
b. Ps 111:2-3
- Never will He give up being perfect
righteousness.
Another attribute, Wisdom comes up
with the solution, the Gospel.
And
you know what? This solution will harmonize all His attributes, not
violating any of them, love, justice, righteousness and all the rest in a
beautiful way.
AND IT'S THE ONLY WAY,
NOTHING THAT MAN CAN DEVISE CAN COME CLOSE TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM.
7. Documentation: Scripture for JUSTICE
Definition: It is His Justice that makes Him angry
at sin, and therefore must punish all sin, all iniquity.
a. Ps 5:5
b. Ps 7:11
c. Ps 11:6-7
d. Ps 45:7
8. Holiness is the foundation for all
other attributes - the keystone.
a. It is called the foundation of His
throne. Ps 47:8
Lit - Throne of His Holiness vd,qo
Ps 89:14; 97:2
b. It limits the other attributes of
God.
Example: God is Love; it motivated
Him to provide salvation through His uniquely born Son.
Why didn't He just Love us and save us?
Reason: Because His Holiness says that
He can't do it that way.
c. Point of emphasis: God's Holiness
is mentioned more times then all others.
Rem: God can never violate any of His
attributes th4 No action of God ever fails to coincide with His perfect
Holiness.