The Bible is full of contrasts. We read that our holy “God is a devouring fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24). But a few chapters later we find that God “lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him” (Deuteronomy 7:9). John also wrote, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Fire burns and is dangerous. Love delights and protects. So how can God be both holy and love?
At the foot of Mount Sinai, the Israelites were soon to follow Moses into the wilderness. God had rescued His people from Egypt, but now He would deliver them from disobedient, destructive practices. So He gave Moses a list of instructions to help the Israelites understand what it meant to live holy lives—lives set apart for God, reflecting His ways. He said, “You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).
Then beginning with “respect for your mother and father” and ending with the need for honest and accurate “standards” (Leviticus 19:3, 35-36), God gave detailed instructions for how to live in a way that reflects His character. In Leviticus 19:18, He gave Moses (and the people) this command: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge . . . but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Love flows from holiness; holiness is reflected in love. These attributes of God fit together like bread and butter, even though they might seem to be more like fire and rain.
How? God is righteous and perfect—He is holy. And He wants us to reflect His essence. God is also loving. He gave His only Son that we might experience real life (John 3:16). And He calls us to love as He loves.
Yes, we can find contrasts in Scripture, but there’s no conflict among God’s many attributes. He’s both perfectly loving and perfectly holy.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 6:1–7:10
More:
Read Romans 13:9 and consider how God’s commands for holy living were summed up by Paul in one command.
Next:
How do love and holiness fit together in your walk with Jesus? Which of these attributes do you need more of in your life? Why?
poohpity on May 7, 2015 at 10:15 am
Discovering that the perfect holiness that God desires is seen in how God treated His enemies and sinners by sending His Son. It is like being married to a husband that sits at the breakfast table demanding that the eggs be perfectly cooked and the table set a certain way and if it is not done perfectly then there will be a price to pay but that husband dies (law) and the new husband sets us down at the table and prepares the eggs for us setting the table and serves his wife (grace). He is the holiness and perfection we are the recipients. When we realize that we will lavish on others what we undeservingly have received, a call to forgive as we have been forgiven. Matt 5:48 follows the be attitudes.
Tom Felten on May 7, 2015 at 10:26 am
Thanks for sharing, poohpity. God’s love and grace are so clearly seen in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. May we live out His love today in all our relationships!
Mike Wittmer on May 7, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Amen, Tom! We see the contrast because we are sinners, but actually God loves because he is holy and he is holy because he loves. He wouldn’t be one without the other, and He wouldn’t be God. Praise Him that He is always and fully holy love!
Tom Felten on May 7, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Amen!
bluefigtoast on May 8, 2015 at 2:51 am
Well said. Love flows from holiness; holiness is reflected in love.
That perfectly describes the transformation in a believer’s life.