+DEV+ By Grace: Gift of a Holy God [3 of 27]

Date: March 11, 2013 10:28 PM
Topic: +DEV+  By Grace: Gift of a Holy God [3 of 27]

By Grace: Gift of a Holy God [3 of 27]

"One of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand...With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'" (Isaiah 6:6-7)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 6:1-13

One of my favorite hymns is "Holy, Holy, Holy," based on Isaiah 6:3. The LORD  - Yahweh - is the thrice-holy God. When the Hebrews wanted to give heightened significance to something in their language, they repeated it. Saying it three times raised it to the ultimate. The LORD God is ultimate holiness - He is the thrice-holy God. But what does it mean to be holy?

First, it means righteousness. Yahweh alone is altogether righteous - He always does what is right. Second, holiness means to be set apart. God is not a part of His creation, but altogether separate from it. On the other hand, Isaiah, as he is called to the prophetic office, realizes that he is altogether wicked. He is a "man of unclean lips." He cannot approach God's throne. Still God has a plan. By pure grace, He cleanses the prophet from sin, taking away his guilt. Like Abraham in Genesis 15:6, like Saul on the Damascus Road, and like you and me in rebirth, Isaiah has received an alien righteousness and has been set apart for service.

Insight: The Gospel has three parts. They are all here: Who we are, who God is, and how His grace cleanses our sin and guilt.





Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.