April 8th, 2025
by Jeremy Erb
by Jeremy Erb
The Holiness of God: Not a Tool, But Our Ultimate Help
In our modern world, we often approach life with a utilitarian mindset. We see tools all around us - hammers that build, social media that connects, technology that empowers. It's tempting to view God through this same lens, as a cosmic tool to be wielded for our benefit. But this perspective misses the profound truth of who God truly is and how we are called to relate to Him.
The story of ancient Israel provides a stark warning against treating God as a mere instrument for our desires. When facing military defeat against the Philistines, the Israelites made a critical error. Instead of examining their own hearts and actions, they decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant - the symbol of God's presence - to the battlefield as a sort of magical talisman. They believed that by manipulating this sacred object, they could force God's hand to grant them victory.
The results were disastrous. Not only were the Israelites soundly defeated, but the Ark itself was captured by the Philistines. This shocking turn of events demonstrated that God cannot be controlled or manipulated through religious rituals or objects while we live in disobedience to His ways.
Yet even in judgment, God revealed His power and holiness. As the Philistines placed the Ark in the temple of their god Dagon, they awoke to find Dagon's idol face down before it. When they set it upright, the next day Dagon was not only prostrate but decapitated! God then afflicted the Philistines with painful tumors until they returned the Ark.
This account vividly illustrates that God is not a tool to be used, but the supreme, holy Creator before whom all must bow. His presence demands reverence and cannot be approached casually or on our own terms.
The Israelites learned this lesson the hard way when the Ark was returned. In their excitement, they violated God's specific instructions about how the Ark was to be handled. Their irreverence resulted in judgment, highlighting that God's holiness is not to be trifled with.
It was only when the prophet Samuel called the people to genuine repentance - putting away idols and returning wholeheartedly to God - that restoration began. As they humbled themselves before God on His terms, He fought for them against the Philistines. Samuel erected a stone monument called "Ebenezer," meaning "stone of help," to commemorate God's faithfulness.
This ancient story carries profound implications for our spiritual lives today. How often do we treat God as a cosmic vending machine, thinking that if we perform certain religious acts, He'll be obligated to give us what we want? We may wear crosses or attend church, all while living in ways contrary to God's will. But God cannot be manipulated or mocked.
The invitation of Jesus is not "believe in me and I'll do whatever you want." Rather, He says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." We don't use Jesus; He rescues us so that we might be used by Him for His glory and purposes.
This doesn't mean God is distant or uncaring. On the contrary, when we approach Him on His terms - with reverence, repentance, and surrender - we discover He is the ultimate "Ebenezer," our true rock of help. Jesus is the perfect embodiment of this. His grace is free, but not cheap. We can't presume upon it, but must receive it on His terms.
The Apostle Paul urges believers to carefully consider how we build our lives on the foundation of Christ. Will we construct with "gold, silver, and precious stones" - lives of enduring value aligned with God's ways? Or with "wood, hay, and straw" - shallow pursuits that won't stand the test of eternity? Our choices matter, for "each one's work will become manifest... it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done."
This isn't about earning salvation, but about truly flourishing in the life God intends for us. It's about experiencing joy amidst sorrow, peace in conflict, and contentment in all circumstances because Christ is our ultimate satisfaction. We've been given the incredible gift of becoming "temples of the Holy Spirit." Our very lives are now sacred space. How can we then embrace desires and actions contrary to the God who dwells within us?
The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to "strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." This isn't about manufacturing our own righteousness, but about pursuing the holiness of Jesus Himself. In the beautiful exchange of the Gospel, Christ takes our sin and death upon Himself and clothes us in His perfect righteousness.
Our call is to "strive to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection." To daily clothe ourselves in His righteousness, walk in step with His Spirit, and place our hope not in our own works, but in His finished work on our behalf. For "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Let us not be complacent or overly casual in our approach to God. He is not a tool to be used, but the holy, awesome Creator of all. Yet when we come to Him on His terms - with reverence, repentance, and wholehearted devotion - we discover that He is indeed our ultimate help, our fortress, and the guarantee of our great salvation.
May we live with a renewed sense of God's holiness, allowing it to shape how we approach Him and how we live our lives. In doing so, we'll experience the profound joy, peace, and purpose that can only be found in right relationship with our Creator.
In our modern world, we often approach life with a utilitarian mindset. We see tools all around us - hammers that build, social media that connects, technology that empowers. It's tempting to view God through this same lens, as a cosmic tool to be wielded for our benefit. But this perspective misses the profound truth of who God truly is and how we are called to relate to Him.
The story of ancient Israel provides a stark warning against treating God as a mere instrument for our desires. When facing military defeat against the Philistines, the Israelites made a critical error. Instead of examining their own hearts and actions, they decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant - the symbol of God's presence - to the battlefield as a sort of magical talisman. They believed that by manipulating this sacred object, they could force God's hand to grant them victory.
The results were disastrous. Not only were the Israelites soundly defeated, but the Ark itself was captured by the Philistines. This shocking turn of events demonstrated that God cannot be controlled or manipulated through religious rituals or objects while we live in disobedience to His ways.
Yet even in judgment, God revealed His power and holiness. As the Philistines placed the Ark in the temple of their god Dagon, they awoke to find Dagon's idol face down before it. When they set it upright, the next day Dagon was not only prostrate but decapitated! God then afflicted the Philistines with painful tumors until they returned the Ark.
This account vividly illustrates that God is not a tool to be used, but the supreme, holy Creator before whom all must bow. His presence demands reverence and cannot be approached casually or on our own terms.
The Israelites learned this lesson the hard way when the Ark was returned. In their excitement, they violated God's specific instructions about how the Ark was to be handled. Their irreverence resulted in judgment, highlighting that God's holiness is not to be trifled with.
It was only when the prophet Samuel called the people to genuine repentance - putting away idols and returning wholeheartedly to God - that restoration began. As they humbled themselves before God on His terms, He fought for them against the Philistines. Samuel erected a stone monument called "Ebenezer," meaning "stone of help," to commemorate God's faithfulness.
This ancient story carries profound implications for our spiritual lives today. How often do we treat God as a cosmic vending machine, thinking that if we perform certain religious acts, He'll be obligated to give us what we want? We may wear crosses or attend church, all while living in ways contrary to God's will. But God cannot be manipulated or mocked.
The invitation of Jesus is not "believe in me and I'll do whatever you want." Rather, He says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." We don't use Jesus; He rescues us so that we might be used by Him for His glory and purposes.
This doesn't mean God is distant or uncaring. On the contrary, when we approach Him on His terms - with reverence, repentance, and surrender - we discover He is the ultimate "Ebenezer," our true rock of help. Jesus is the perfect embodiment of this. His grace is free, but not cheap. We can't presume upon it, but must receive it on His terms.
The Apostle Paul urges believers to carefully consider how we build our lives on the foundation of Christ. Will we construct with "gold, silver, and precious stones" - lives of enduring value aligned with God's ways? Or with "wood, hay, and straw" - shallow pursuits that won't stand the test of eternity? Our choices matter, for "each one's work will become manifest... it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done."
This isn't about earning salvation, but about truly flourishing in the life God intends for us. It's about experiencing joy amidst sorrow, peace in conflict, and contentment in all circumstances because Christ is our ultimate satisfaction. We've been given the incredible gift of becoming "temples of the Holy Spirit." Our very lives are now sacred space. How can we then embrace desires and actions contrary to the God who dwells within us?
The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to "strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." This isn't about manufacturing our own righteousness, but about pursuing the holiness of Jesus Himself. In the beautiful exchange of the Gospel, Christ takes our sin and death upon Himself and clothes us in His perfect righteousness.
Our call is to "strive to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection." To daily clothe ourselves in His righteousness, walk in step with His Spirit, and place our hope not in our own works, but in His finished work on our behalf. For "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Let us not be complacent or overly casual in our approach to God. He is not a tool to be used, but the holy, awesome Creator of all. Yet when we come to Him on His terms - with reverence, repentance, and wholehearted devotion - we discover that He is indeed our ultimate help, our fortress, and the guarantee of our great salvation.
May we live with a renewed sense of God's holiness, allowing it to shape how we approach Him and how we live our lives. In doing so, we'll experience the profound joy, peace, and purpose that can only be found in right relationship with our Creator.
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