God is perfect, pure, and undefiled. He does not sin.
As God’s image-bearers, we’re called to reflect His holiness. God says, “You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy” (Leviticus 20:26). It is a seemingly impossible task. We have all been stained by sin and bear on our backs the weight of a sinful nature. Try as we might, we all “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
When confronted with God’s holiness in the heavenly throne room, Isaiah’s response was nothing short of terror: “Woe is me for I am ruined because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). That’s how stark the contrast is between God’s perfect, holy nature and our utter lack of holiness. It’s not even close.
To be holy is to be set apart, uncommon, and raised up. God is all of these things, and we are not. But His response to Isaiah’s woeful plea was not to leave Isaiah ruined before the throne. Instead, He extended mercy and made atonement for Isaiah’s sin (Isaiah 6:6–7). God, in His perfection, has made a way for His people to be holy, for nothing is impossible with Him (Luke 1:37).
Because of Jesus’s sacrifice for us on the cross, all things are being made new (Revelation 21:5). We have been given God’s Spirit to walk with Him and practice holiness daily. Someday, all who know Christ will be perfected in Him. On that day, we will reflect God’s holiness to all creation, just as God designed it to be from the beginning.
In the meantime, God has given us the righteousness of His Son, making us holy in His sight. We are now set apart as His “holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9) and a temple for His Spirit. The holy presence of God that once made Isaiah tremble lives inside of believers. Our hope in Christ is so sure that God already regards us as people who no longer fall short, who have become holy, just as He is holy.
Praying for you Anxious Heart! Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever. He is by your side as you walk through this season of trial. God is still working within us, changing us with these very rich verses, our spiritual food. His goal in Christlikeness for you and me. You will not walk away. You will walk with your husband side by side.
“ …and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” ❤️
How we forget. We default holiness to one more obligation to be accomplished, one more burden to bear. The Scriptures tell us that we who believe ARE holy – we ARE righteous. Holiness is not another activity we must do to somehow prove ourselves. Holiness is a state of being. Jesus said “It is finished!” We are holy. We are set apart. We are not perfect, yet. That is different. Let us not reduce what Christ obtained for us on the cross – our holiness before God. He tore the veil. He stands and defends us before the accuser. We are holy. That is our position before God, paid for by the blood of Jesus. Let us not ever minimize that.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty!
Anxious Heart, praying for you and you husband that you would be able to get help, that the depression would lift and that you would know the hope that comes from God as he holds you close. He has promised, to never leave you, to never forsake you and he is walking through the valley of the shadow of death with you. My family has been going through this same thing with my brother, severe depression, not wanting to seek help, him rejecting God but I want to tell you, there is hope, even when it seems like there’s no way, God is making a way. My family isn’t out of it yet but God continues to walk with us and remind us of his love and his faithfulness. He will do the same for you. If you ever want to talk more, you can email me at [email protected]. You’re not alone in this!
Anxious Heart,
I am lifting you and your husband up in prayer. I pray for hope that never fails and light to end the darkness of depression. That in this time, although it seems like God is far away; He is right beside you both.
Dear “Anxious ♥️“,
May the God of Hope full you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him… So that you may overcome with Hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13.
I’m praying this scripture over you today… Also urging you to get help… counseling for yourself, if he isn’t willing… this is to big for you to carry alone.
Dear Anxious Heart,
I just want to encourage you to keep loving your husband through this dark time, but also to be fervent in getting him the help he needs and don’t be afraid to make this known to those who love you. So often with depression we suffer alone, the opposite of what is needed. In depression I firmly believe community/family help is needed. Is there someone you husband especially feels loved or encouraged by? A grandparent, brother in Christ, or family member? Try to bring other around you to help. Prayers for you during this difficult time.