The Names of God - Holy One of Israel

My pastor has been doing a series on Wed nights on the Names of God. This past week it was on - Qedosh Yisrael - Holy One of Israel. It is mostly used in the book of Isaiah. In it the people were living corrupt lives and which made them estranged from fellowship with God, because He is Holy. However the heart of God is that His people would be in fellowship with Him. Is. 6:3 the seraphim call out to each other Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. This is the only description of God repeated in this manner 3 times in a row. It is as if to say He is Holy before He is anything else; His Holiness is not just an attribute of God, it is the essence of His nature; He is perfect in purity and righteousness, perfection and moral integrity. His way is perfect without flaw or error; He is unique, like no one else. v.4-5 instantly standing before God, Isaiah is made aware of his own sinfulness. There is a place for that in our relationship with the Lord and in our prayer life. Is He our friend? yes. but He is also the High exalted Holy One of Israel. v6-7 think about it, the coal of fire on his lips must have been painful -- as true repentance is.

I Peter 1:14-16 - As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.

We can only be holy because of the cross. But we have a responsibility after we have been saved to see that we are walking in holiness. We are responsible when we go to God in prayer to first make sure we are right with Him and have repented, renounced, and turned away from our sins. We must do our part in that. You do not approach a holy God in a flippant manner. Each time you begin a time of prayer, ask Him to bring to mind actions, attitudes, and things you've done which are not pleasing to Him and repent of them. That doesn't just mean being sorry. It means changing direction. This is a significant part of our walk with God. Search your heart, ask Him to reveal things to you, repent of sin, consider His holiness, and ask Him to restore you.