No One like Him!

Today Tozer’s words direct my thoughts to God in a way that is deeper than normal. He writes about holiness and says the original root word was about something beyond, strange, mysterious and awe-inspiring. That is, the holiness of God is heavenly, awesome, yet mysterious and fear-inspiring. I sit for a moment thinking about this — and worship. Who is like our God? No one. There is no one like Him.

Then Tozer says, “Now, this is supreme when it relates to God, but it is also marked in men of God and deepens as men become more like God . . . Holiness is not a condition wrought in us. It is simply the Holy One in us ruling, filling.”

When I read the command to be holy as God is holy, my mind cannot comprehend it. God says it and it must be possible, yet my knowledge of myself would produce laughter if this were not such a serious matter. As incredulous as it seems, it explains why the monks isolated themselves from the world and why many Christians stop at this point and throw their hands in the air. Capitulating to ‘being like everyone else’ is far easier and far more appealing than being a holy person like God. Who can imagine being mysterious, heavenly, and awe-inspiring?

Yet God says this is for each of His children — holiness and blessed in Jesus Christ . . .

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:3–6)

The first phrases of this passage may be the clue to taking a better stab at it. Paul says, “Blessed be the God . . . who has blessed us . . .  chose us . . . predestined us . . . to the praise of His grace.”

My eyes are more often on myself and my performance. I focus on what I must do — be holy and blameless — and who I am rather than on the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ who makes all these things possible. It isn’t about my efforts or plans or glory; it is about what He does and can do and will do. It is about praising Him, bowing to His will, and giving Him glory.

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Jesus, You have granted every spiritual blessing so Your followers can be holy and blameless. I am Your child for the purpose of fulfilling Your plans and giving You glory. I must decrease. You must increase. Forgive the self-focus and keep my eyes, thoughts, words and all I do turned toward You.