THIS GOD WE SERVE – I
· God is holy (Leviticus 19:2) and requires His people to be holy also.
· Holy = pure, undefiled, separate from sin, clean, perfection freedom from evil.
a) A standard is something we can use to measure things against. A standard is fixed it does not change. Eg, the only way you can tell exactly the length of one metre is to use a ruler or tape measure. A metre length does not change. In the same way God’s holiness is a standard or ‘measure’ that we can use to determine right and wrong.
b) God’s holiness exposes sin (Isaiah 6:1-5). When Isaiah saw the Lord he immediately became aware of his own sin and the sin of the people around him (verse 5).
· God requires His people to be holy (Ephesians 5:1-7).
· Christians are expected to imitate or follow God by walking in love and departing from sinful attitudes and activities.
· There are destructive consequences from sin.
· There are always consequences for sin.
a) Law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7).
b) Dominion of evil spirits (Ephesians 4:27; 1 Samuel 16:14; Luke 22:3). Sin gives access for evil spirits.
c) Discipline (Hebrews 12:6).
d) Direct judgement:
i) Supernatural intervention. Examples: Noah and the flood; Sodom and Gomorrah; Nahab and Abihu; Korah; Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5:1-11); Herod (Acts 12:20); Elymas (Acts 13:8-12).
ii) The cross. The cross is a reminder to all of the serious consequences of sin.
iii) Eternal judgement.
Sinners - judgement of condemnation
Christians - judgement of reward
· Everyone is held accountable in this life and the next.