But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)
Holiness is the unique character and nature of God. It is the hallmark of all that represents God. Our God is a Holy God and about His Holiness, there is no gainsaying or contradiction.
Hannah, in her eulogy and praise to God said something that’s of worth, “There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). Holiness is the marked attribute, character and nature of God. We must gain and grasp this truth about our God.
About this attribute also, Heavens do worship and proclaim God’s praise and exaltation. Prophet Isaiah says of His vision of Heaven; “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:1-3 KJV). Notice the Angels in Heaven do proclaim the nature and attribute of our Lord as Holy.
God’s Holy nature is an attribute not shared or owned by any other, Moses and the children of Israel says of God after God’s marvelous rescue from the tyrannical and cruel hold of Egypt,” Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” God’s Holy nature is glorious and fearful. We must fear God’s Holiness.
Now, God does not only own this nature, everything that belongs to God is marked by this nature. God’s Throne, God’s son, God’s people, etc. are Holy. The “Holy” appendage characteristically mark or identify the item or person as God’s own or property. To the children of Israel, God said, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Exo. 19:5-6 KJV). God said to the children of Israel, “ye shall be… an holy nation” ‘Holy’ then marks the people who belong to God.
Beloved, Holy is whom we become; a nature rather than an act when God takes possession and ownership of our lives. We become separated and marked for God as His precious and owned possession. Praise the Lord. This marked feature also separates the Priest and Servants of God. They are marked God’s Holy vessels or possessions. As a child of God, someone who has given his life to God, we have become God’s Holy people, a Holy nation marked and devoted to God as His own. Gaining this good understanding, let us determine to keep God’s property Holy after His nature.