THE GOD WE LOVE TO FEAR

MATTHEW 6:5–15

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name

(Matthew 6:9).

What exactly does the Bible mean by the word holy? We today tend to use “holy” as a synonym for moral righteousness or purity. This is not wrong, but it can be misleading. In the Bible there is a primary and a secondary meaning of holiness. The secondary meaning refers to moral righteousness, but the primary meaning of the word holy is “separate.”

Holiness and “otherness”

That which is holy is that which is “other” than or different from something else. When the Bible speaks of God’s holiness, the preeminent thrust of such statements is a reference to His transcendence. God is superior to anything in the created realm.

All religions have holy places and holy times, specific locations and periods set apart from the normal course of life for religious purposes. It is an inescapable part of human life. But why is it that human beings are drawn to take certain things and set them apart? It is because they have a special significance for us. It is not because of their intrinsic value, but rather what makes something holy is the touch of God upon it. When God touches you, you become uncommon, holy.

The fear of God

Xenophobia is the fear of strangers, of people with strange customs and manners that are different from one’s own. The supreme form of xenophobia is the fear of God. the Holy One, the Supreme Other. Rudolph Otto, in his book The Idea of the Holy, said that the holy is the mysterium tremendum, the awe-full mystery. By this he meant that the experience we have of the holy is mysterious, but it is also powerful. This awesome, mysterious power provokes fear within us.

We have conflicting feelings about the holy. There is something about the holiness of God that attracts us, but there is also something about the holiness of God that frightens us. It fascinates us, but it also terrifies us. However, as we become aware of what God’s holiness truly means, our beliefs will be strengthened, our behavior will be changed, and our gratitude to our Savior will be unending. When we see even a small glimpse of God’s holiness, we will bow in worship.

CORAM DEO

The first petition of the Lord’s Prayer brings us face to face with the need to learn the holiness of God’s name. Ask God today to make you more aware of His holiness, that you may both love and fear Him more than ever before.

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