As an experiment, the great scientist Isaac Newton stared at the image of the sun reflected in a mirror. The brightness burned into his retina, and as a result, he suffered temporary blindness. Even after he hid for three days behind closed shutters the bright spot would not fade from his vision. “I used all means to divert my imagination from the sun,” he wrote, “But if I thought upon [it] I presently saw [its] picture though I was in the dark.”
I imagine Newton’s experience with the sun is just a taste of what it would be like if we were able to look upon the Holiness of God. One time after meeting with God, Moses face was bright and literally radiant because he had been standing in God’s presence. When Moses came down from the mountain the people had to cover his face with a cloth because he was too bright to look at. And imagine, they were merely looking at a reflection of God’s Holiness; Moses was able to actually stand and see God’s Holiness for himself.
The brilliance of God’s Holiness is unfathomable. Yet, we are told in Leviticus, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians to strive to obtain this holiness in our own lives. Peter instructed that “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14-16).
For us to obtain even the smallest amount of holiness in our lives requires that we have an unquenchable desire for Christ-likeness. Holiness is being yoked with Christ. This means that we are walking in step with Him by knowing how He lived while on earth from the Bible, as well as prayerfully asking what His will desires us to do today.
Here are some characteristic of holy people:
First, they strive to avoid every known sin, and strive to keep every known command. It means we hate what God hates and love what God loves.
Holy people seek to have a pure heart.
Holy people live in God’s love. John wrote in Scripture that we are to be “lavishing in His love,” meaning that we bathe our souls in God’s gracious and loving kindness. In turn we will be men and women who live in and act out the attributes of love described in 1 Corinthians 13.
Holy people care about others with great mercy. We must be people that care for the bodies, minds, feelings, property, and souls of others. This means thinking of everyone else before that thought of “me” even comes into our minds.
Holy people fear God because they see their own lack of holiness and reverently respect God and His authority in their lives. Like a small child respects and wants to please his father, so we too must glorify God by obeying Him.
Holy people strive for humility. This is not only getting rid of all pride, but being aware and repentant of our sin before God. It is having the same attitude as Paul when he wrote to Timothy and referred to himself as the “chief of all sinners.” (2 Tim 2:14)
Holy people live in a spiritual mindset, striving to have God’s perspective by looking at life through His eyes.
Holy people strive for faithfulness. They are unwavering men and woman that live a single standard life—God’s standard.
We must long to be truly holy; this does not mean perfect, but ashamed and repentant for our sin and continually striving to be a reflection of God’s glory.
D.L. Moody once said, “A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.”
