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Friday, April 18, 2014

God's presence makes things holy!

We have established that God is holy, but what about people and things? Can something or someone be holy separate and apart from God? What makes something or someone holy?

After examining the Scriptural evidence, the author believes that most people will come to the conclusion that God can make a thing or person holy. In fact, I believe the Scriptural evidence is clear and convincing that God's presence, touch or involvement is the only thing that can make something or someone holy.

In the book of Genesis, we read that God rested from the work of creation and "blessed the seventh day and declared it holy." (Genesis 2:3) Notice that it was God's presence and declaration that made it holy. Likewise, God later declared to Moses that the Israelites were to observe a number of holy convocations or assemblies. (Exodus 12:16 and Leviticus 23:2, 4, 7-8, 21, 24, 27 and 35-36)

As Moses approached God in the burning bush, God told him to "take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." (Exodus 3:5) It was God's presence that made the ground holy. It was God's presence that made the Israelites holy. (Exodus 19:6, 22:31 and Leviticus 11:44, 19:2 and Deuteronomy 7:6)

Once again, it was God's instructions to Moses that designated certain priestly garments as holy. (Exodus 28:2, 4 and 29:29) In similar fashion, God designated a portion of food as holy for the sustenance of the priests. (Exodus 29:33) God also designated a certain blend of oil to be used in the anointing ceremony as holy. (Exodus 30:25)

In the wilderness, God's presence in the Tabernacle made it holy. (Exodus 29:44, 33:9-10 and 40:34-35) Likewise, after the temple was constructed, God's presence made it holy. (I Kings 8:11 and II Chronicles 5:14 and 7:1-3) There was also a place within both structures that was designated as the most holy place because it was the place that was literally filled with God's presence. (Hebrews 9:1-3)

Paul called the Scriptures holy (Romans 1:2 and II Timothy 3:15), because they were God breathed. (II Timothy 3:16) The fact that God inspired certain men to commit certain things to writing meant that those writings had been touched by the Divine. Hence, they were considered holy.

In similar fashion, the apostles and prophets were referred to as holy. (Ephesians 3:5 and Revelation 18:20) Why? Once again, because God had personally dealt with them and given them their commissions.

The Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is holy because it comes from God (John 14:16, 26, 20:22, Acts 5:32, 15:8, Romans 5:5 and I Timothy 4:8. Our bodies are called holy because God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 3:17 and 6:19)

Hence, we can clearly see that everything that is considered holy derives that holiness from Almighty God. Nothing is holy apart from God!

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