Michael continues: God’s holiness starts with separation. Holy means to separate from the darkness of this fallen world according to the purpose for which God has called us. Holiness is defined by the 1828 Webster’s dictionary as: The state of being holy; purity or integrity of moral character; freedom from sin; sanctity. Applied to human beings, holiness is purity of heart or dispositions; sanctified affections; piety; moral goodness, but not perfect. Sacredness; the state of anything hallowed, separated and consecrated to God or to His worship; applied to churches.
Righteousness is defined as: Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion. Living rightly before the eyes of the Lord.
In Psalm 73, the Psalmist laments about the oppressiveness of the wicked and the darkness of this fallen world. However there is an inflection point, a point of repentance... of turning around. In verse 17, the Psalmist said, when I went into the sanctuary, into the house of the Lord, then I understood their end. He shifted his focus from the darkness of the world into the light of the sanctuary where God dwells. The sanctuary is the place where God is welcome to help Himself to the lives of His people. According to 1 Corinthians 6, Paul wrote by God’s inspiration, ““Do you (collectively) not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
In the sanctuary, God revealed the end of the destruction of the evil that permeates this world of darkness. According to verse 18, surely he has set their feet on slippery places. When the blind lead the blind, they both fall in the ditch. God allows the prosperity of the worldly people to allow them to fall in their own pride and conceit. The outcome of the ungodly will come to naught. Therefore the Psalmist concludes that nevertheless God has taken hold of our right hand. The right hand is the hand of blessing. When confronted by the darkness of this world, our responsibility is our response to His ability. Our responsibility is to walk in the light as He is in the light.
The Lord is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Beside you Lord, I desire nothing on earth. As for me, in the nearness of my heart unto thee is my good. I have made the Lord my refuge so that I can tell of thy goodness to all the earth. Our calling isn’t to condemn the unjust but that God through His mercy and grace would turn their hearts from the darkness of this world and unto the glorious light of the gospel of truth. Our calling not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. Our Lord Jesus Christ came not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.
Despite the darkness of this fallen world, our joy is in the Lord and our hope is in the redemption of our vile bodies, His purchased possession, at His return. Therefore, let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.
Whom have I in heaven but you Lord? Our flesh and our heart will fail, but our portion is in you alone, for in Thee and in Thee alone, it is well with our soul that we may ever live to the praise of the glory of Thy grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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