There is power in holiness because God's power is revealed through holiness. Therefore, it is written that Jesus, 'through the "Spirit of holiness" was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead.' (Romans 1:1-4) Evil cannot stand before holiness because power emanates (give out or spread out ) through holiness. Therefore, evil spirits cried out at the top of their voice, when they saw Jesus, saying, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!" ( Mark 1:24) "Swear to God that you won't torture us." For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit." (Mark 5:7-8) Since Jesus did not belong to the system, meaning the Jewish religious and political establishment, his power was not derived from his position in their hierarchy (a system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority) but was derived from the Spirit of holiness. Demons do not respect human authority derived from our position in society but they dread holiness! Even angels fear the holiness of God, for Isaiah saw Seraphs, each with six wings, worshipping God in reverential fear. 'With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."' ( Isaiah 6:2-3) John too wrote what he saw in his vision : 'Day and night they (the four living creatures, who are Cherubs -Ezekiel 10:20-21) never stop saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8) Only man seems to be ignorant about the holiness of God "for fools rush in where angels fear to tread". - Alexander Pope. Even demons would not dare to lie before God for they know they will be found out and dread him but man would dare to lie! Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit ... What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard this , he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.' (Acts 5:3-5) The 'Holy' Spirit is holy, just as his name says he is and he is worshipped together with God the Father and Son, because the Angels addresses the Trinity thrice by saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty." God is zealous to uphold his holiness, for he even forbade Moses from entering the promise land, saying, "you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites." (Deuteronomy 32:51) Ironically, it was Moses who was told by the Lord : "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." (Leviticus 19:2) If we fail to uphold the holiness of God, we too will not enter the kingdom of God because 'without holiness no one will see the Lord' (Hebrews 12:14) Therefore, God disciplines us 'that we may share in his holiness.' (Vs10) 'Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.' (2 Corinthians 7:1) Amen.
187. Spirit of holiness.
Sam Matthews. K
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