They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies!” (Isa. 6:3).
The word holy is a word that many people find difficult to accommodate. We speak of the Pope as the Holy Father. In a moment of great astonishment we sometimes say, “Holy mackerel!” We snidely refer to someone who parades his virtues as a “Holy Joe" or we say he has a “holier than thou” attitude.
Isaiah emphasized more than anyone else that only God is holy. He detested the corruption, sin, unrighteousness and faithlessness. When Isaiah referred to God’s holiness he meant that God was “different.” He rose above weakness and impurity. Habakkuk said to God, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Hab.1:13 NIV). It is because of His holiness that God hates sin. When Isaiah chronicled that the seraphs called out “Holy” three times, it was to emphasize and underline God’s holiness. It was to bring home to those who listened to him preach that God does not tolerate the wickedness of the people.
We see holy love in Christ, not just goodness and ordinary love, but the holy love of the Holy God. It is an exceptional kind of love that comes from God and creates love for God. This is why it is godly love instead of human warmth and kindness. Jesus calls on us to love in the holy or godly way that He loved.
Holy Spirit of God, enable me to respect God’s holiness. Amen.
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