Yes, Lord, Yes

“Shall not His excellency make you afraid?” This is a striking question found asked in Job 13:11. This is a inquiry that truly humble servants ask themselves when they see themselves partakers of His holiness (Heb. 12:10.) Yes, His holiness. We are enjoined to Him; not Him to us. When we sin, we understand the purpose of His chastening, and that is it for our good in keeping with His faithfulness to His promise that He is the finisher and perfecter of our faith. He would bring it to completion, and that, to His glory and honor forevermore. Amen

Many who profess Christ are not afraid. Some never knew or tasted of the holiness of God to fear; meaning to respect His awesome glory and power; His sweetness and majesty and His right of self-determination as to show to whom He will mercy and to others justice. Many are active church members, who speak as Israel spoke in Joshua 24. They recognized and extolled all that God had done and that they would remember and serve Him too while they served other gods. What did Joshua say? “You cannot serve the Lord for He is a holy God.” Jesus told us that man cannot serve both God and mammon. Did He say that with a wink in His eye? Is our heavenly Father as permissive as we have been as parents? God forgive us, and because you have, turn us.

If God’s holiness could be simply likened to the purest gold and you possessed even one ounce of it, would you add to its weight iron and try to sell it? Or, if you were to add impure gold, would you not burn off the dross first unless you are called a cheat and a liar? Without question, we were called to be holy even as He is holy. Oh, if we are truly partakers of His holiness would we expect anything less than to be pure in heart through the washing of water daily, and be willing to run that race to the end? I ask that of myself and of my brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot look back; such is turned to salt. But we can look forward, and it’s there I pray the salt has not lost its savor.

Again, I ask, “Shall not His excellency make you afraid?” Yes, it makes me afraid, but even then, I must ask: what is it I fear? As much as I am thankful that I am in Christ Jesus; procured by Him; ransom paid by His blood, I pray that all my dross is burnt off here. While Christ is my justification, righteousness and sanctification, I am still called to obedience; regardless the cost. It is one thing to finish; which is good, but to finish strong? Yes, Lord, yes.