Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: March 5, 2006
“BE YE HOLY”
A Study of the Biblical Doctrine of Holiness
Ben Justice
[NOTE: This is a continuation of last week’s article. We want to pick back
up with holiness in the Old Testament.]
Ezekiel said of the people of Israel (specifically the priests), “Her priests have
violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between
the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the
clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them” (Ezek.
22:26). The priests were responsible for keeping and teaching God’s law. As we
noted in last week’s article, Lev. 10:10 says, “And that ye may put difference between
holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;” Specifically, this verse is speaking
of the priests. Again, to the priests, Lev. 22:15 states, “And they shall not profane
the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the Lord;” However, they
utterly failed in this by putting “no difference between the holy and profane.”
Instead of “profane” other translations have “common.” It is interesting to note
that God has “holy things.” Certain things were deemed “holy” by God. These
things included the temple, worship, sacrifices, ceremonial observances, moral
distinctions, the Sabbath, etc. One writer noted, “Holiness, in short, expresses a
relation, which consists negatively in separation from common use, and positively
in dedication to the service of Jehovah” (J.C. Lambert, The International
Standard Bible Encyclopedia — Vol. III, Pg. 1404). It is true that under the
New Testament economy, many of the OT ordinances have been abolished.
However, the NT (as we will see later) makes a very clear distinction between the
holy and the profane. The same principles of separation and distinction are
likewise seen in the NT. How sad it is when God’s leaders (such as the priests
under the Law of Moses) do not make a distinction or difference between the holy
and the profane (common). [NOTE: How many elders are doing the same thing
today, and since all Christians are priests of God under the Law of Christ, how
many are likewise not making a distinction between the holy and the unholy. It is
seen in their lives.] When there is no distinction or difference seen between the
holy and the unholy, it makes a mockery out of worship and service to God. Of
course, this moral degradation promoted a degradation of the nation of Israel as a
whole.
As Ezekiel looked into the future of Israel’s return back to their homeland after
being in captivity, he said concerning the priests, “And they shall teach my people the
difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean
and the clean” (Ezek. 44:23).
Holiness is grounded in the very nature of God himself. Note the following
scriptures:
Lev. 11:44 — “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and
ye shall be holy; for I am holy: . . .”
Lev. 19:2 — “Speak unto the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye
shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.”
Lev. 20:7 — “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.”
Lev. 20:26 — “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed
you from other people, that ye should be mine.”
Lev. 21:8 — “. . . he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify, am holy.”
The people of God were to be holy. Why? Because God is holy. How could they
possibly be followers of God without being like God? God’s holiness is manifested
in his moral nature. Likewise, God’s people manifest their holiness in their
lifestyle of moral living. God’s holiness serves as the foundation of all morality. In
fact, for there to be fellowship between God and man is for man to conform to God’s
standard of holiness. This standard of holiness is given in his word. If people want
to know how to be holy, then look at the moral character of God. Study his love,
righteousness, justice, mercy, kindness, etc. This point needs to be underscored:
Human beings can’t possibly be holy with the same absoluteness as God. God is
totally and absolutely holy. Isaiah recorded the words of the seraphims as saying,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:3). This same designation is also
found in Rev. 5:8 — “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and
they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Man can only be holy as God
is holy in the moral and ethical sense. One writer noted, “Men cannot resemble
God in His incommunicable attributes. They can reflect His likeness only along
the lines of those moral qualities of righteousness and love in which true holiness
consists” (J.C. Lambert, Ibid.). Man was made in the image of God, and therefore
capable of reflecting the divine qualities of God in holy living. Peter spoke of being
“partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4). What does this mean? Lord willing,
next week, we will continue this study of holiness by turning to the New Testament.
DISTURBING CONCERNS ABOUT VBS
Dennis J. Sargent
I have had the privilege, on a number of occasions, to be a teacher for an adult
class at VBS and to participate and observe how various congregations of the Lord’s
church conduct VBS. Certainly, VBS can be a very strong and helpful tool in
teaching the gospel to people of all ages. One can hardly get enough Bible school,
and common sense tells us that while public school is out for the summer we
should take full advantage of the opportunity to spend some extra time in Bible
school. But, it has been my disturbing observation to witness some of the various
things, which occur at Vacation Bible School, which have absolutely no scriptural
authority, and in fact violate plain Bible teaching.
For example, acting out our songs and/or lessons. Where do we find Bible
authority for teaching our children to do this? I submit to you that the same
scriptures which teach us to sing, and thereby excludes (forbids) the use of
mechanical instruments of music, also excludes (forbids) acting out our songs.
What about the fact that Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach . . .” not, “go act
out.” Why do we insist on teaching children, and others, to do that which the
scriptures forbid? How shall we answer to God?
Also, what about singing songs which violate Bible teaching? “If You’re Happy And
You Know It” has absolutely no scriptural message. Therefore, it is neither a
psalm, hymn, nor spiritual song. Do we not teach as we sing? Is not our teaching
to be scriptural?
What about our children assisting the song leader? When the church has “come
together” (I Cor. 11:17-18, 20), are not things to be done in an authorized way (Col.
3:17), and in a way that is decent and in order (I Cor. 14:40)? And, if it be all right
for little girls to assist the song leader in VBS, then why should we not use women
to assist him in the other assemblies? If not, why not? If one is wrong, is not the
other? What is our motive for teaching the children to err in these ways?
Brethren, when we allow (promote) such innovations in the assemblies of the
church during VBS, we have no room to criticize others who promote such
innovations during any other assembly of the church, “change agent” or otherwise.
Let us throw off the tendency to follow after the religious denominations about us,
and get back to being able to provide book, chapter, and verse for what we teach and
practice.