HOLINESS BEFORE GOD

Num. 5:1-3  The LORD gave these instructions to Moses.  “Command the people of Israel to remove anyone from the camp who has a contagious skin disease or a discharge, or who has been defiled by touching a dead person.  This applies to men and women alike.  Remove them so they will not defile the camp where I live among you.”

The Lord had revealed himself to the Israelites as holy.  He made it clear to them that in order to be able to approach Him, they had to obey Him and be made holy through the required sacrifices and obedience to Him.  Time after time God punished those who would defy Him and not respect Him in His holiness.

The Lord had a special relationship with the Israelites and chose to be in their midst at the Tabernacle.  In order for Him to stay with them, they had to remove from their midst unholy people, whether it be physical or spiritual uncleanness. 

The Israelites struggled much with holiness, and so do we.  It seems like very few people regard holiness as necessary for the Christian life.  So much emphasis is put on love and grace and very little emphasis on holiness and hell.  Many people have accepted the idea that hell is no big deal and we should not be concerned about it.  As a result, so many professing believers are very lax regarding sin and its consequences.  Because God is love, they believe that He would not allow them to go to hell.

Yet, as I read the Word, hell comes up over and over again.  From beginning to end, God warns us about hell and the likelihood of our going there if we don’t live holy lives.  We dare not take lightly what God takes seriously.  Without holiness, no one will see God (Heb. 12:14).  He commands it (I Pet. 1:13-16); therefore, we must live it.