THURSDAY November 29, 2018
Standing Before a Holy God
And the men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? And to whom shall it go up from us?”
1 Samuel 6:20
When the men of Beth Shemesh opened the lid to the Ark, judgment came. God immediately brought a great slaughter. They recognized that God was holy, yet they had not respected the holiness of God. In response to God’s judgment, the men of Beth Shemesh asked a good question, “Who is able to stand before this holy God?” The only true answer is, “Only those who are made righteous in Christ Jesus!”
The Bible clearly states: But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption… (1 Corinthians 1:30). Only those in Christ are able to stand before a holy God in righteousness. A further explanation is given in
2 Corinthians 5:21: For He made Him [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
In the book of Exodus, Moses asked if He could see God. The Lord told him: “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” (Exodus 33:20, John 1:18).Through Moses’ brother Aaron came the priesthood. A person who was a high priest could not approach a holy God without holiness in his own life; otherwise, his life would be forfeited.
It is the same with us; we cannot serve God while in sin. God is holy and we are to be holy––separate to God: But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Do you now understand how Christians are able to stand before a holy God?
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
~Psalm 24:3-5~
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