The Holiness of God

Scripture teaches that God is sovereign. Yet many struggle both to understand and reconcile God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. On this episode of the White Horse Inn our hosts explain that God’s sovereignty taught in scripture helps us to recognize God’s transcendent glory reflected in his works of providence and salvation.

Scripture teaches that God is just. He must punish sin. On this episode of the White Horse Inn our hosts help us to understand that God’s mercy must be understood against the background of his justice and wrath in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

According to Robert Schuller, the problem with the reformation was that it was God-centered rather than man-centered. We live an age of self-esteem and self-help. Therapy has triumphed over theology. On this episode of the White Horse Inn our hosts help to recover the reformation slogan, “to God alone be the glory.”

Worship does not make God glorious but confesses what is already true by those dependent on him. Worship belongs to the order of truth and not the economy of exchange.

Adoration can not only anchor us but also lead to surprise, exhilaration, and joy as we realize that our God’s beauty and goodness are inexhaustible. The more we contemplate the character of our God, the more he shocks us with how well he deserves our cry, “Glory!”

If the image of God is who we are, then it makes sense it could be seen in many different facets of our lives. It would show up not only in the way we speak or act towards others with holiness, but even in the very desires that guide how we want to spend our time. We would find glimpses of the imprint of God within our callings and vocations, but we would also find it spring up within our play.

Matthew’s genealogy, properly understood, gives us good news of a gracious God—one who loves us, pursues us, and works through us even when we are sinful (Rom. 5:8). Matthew’s genealogy ultimately points us to this: God has sent his Son, our only Savior, to give us eternal hope.