Attributes of God – The Holy One
The lecture focuses on the attribute holiness of God and the call to sanctification for believers. The speaker affirms that God is not only good but holy by His nature, and God’s love for holiness requires His followers to live a holy life like Him. The relationship of holiness to worship (prayers, the Divine Liturgy, the doxology) and to the sacred things in the church (the sanctuary, the altar, the vessels, the icons) and to the holy sacraments such as the Eucharist is presented. The lecture also shows that sin separates man from holiness and from God, and that repentance and the Eucharistic sacrament are the way back to purity. There is an emphasis that holiness is not merely a title but a life and daily behavior that requires humility and confession of sin and continuous asking for mercy. Finally, the lecture warns against laxity regarding holiness in our time and calls for commitment to pastoral care, teaching, and evangelism to raise a holy people.
Main points (subheadings)
1. God’s holiness and its nature: God is holy in Himself; His holiness is part of His nature and does not accept uncleanness.
2. The call of believers to holiness: The Scripture asks us to be holy because God is holy, and holiness is not a title but a holy life.
3. Manifestations of holiness in worship: Prayers, liturgies, hymns and doxologies affirm God’s majesty and call to sanctification.
4. Sacred places and things: The sanctuary, the altar, the vessels, the icons and all that is in the church are sacred and anointed with chrism.
5. Sin as separation: Sin separates man from God’s holiness and prevents him from approach and complete love.
6. Means to sanctification: Repentance, confession, tears, the Eucharistic sacrament, and daily spiritual discipline.
7. Warning against laxity: In our time the holy and the sinner are mixed within the church, and there is a danger of losing the sense of holiness.
8. Pastoral and educational aim: Every ministry and teaching must aim to lead the person to a life of holiness, surrender, assurance, and thanksgiving.
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