The Trauma of Holiness

The Trauma of Holiness - R.C. Sproul

The standard by which we will be judged ultimately is not a curve, but it will be the standard of God’s perfection. Now hear this, “everybody’s entitled to one mistake” – says who? Where did God ever say you can all have one mistake? One free sin, one free act of treason against my authority, one free insult to my integrity? He never said that did he, but even if he did, how long ago did you use yours up?

We’re comfortable with our imperfection, we judge ourselves by each other. No matter how ashamed I may be of the weaknesses of my life (and sometimes when I look inside myself I make myself sick, don’t you feel like that. Do you ever disgust yourself, saying how could I do that?! I can’t believe that I’m that selfish or I can’t believe that I’m that covetous, or lustful…) we are quick to excuse ourselves because we look around and we can always find somebody who is more depraved than we are, at least on the surface. So we can be like the Pharisee that went up to the temple to pray and say “O God I thank you that I’m not like that miserable guy over there”. We find a way to excuse ourselves, and to flatter ourselves, until we see the standard. When that happens, we are undone, as Isaiah was undone when he saw pure holiness; he understood what it was that he wasn’t. He couldn’t stand it and he’s on his face and he’s screaming out in pain saying woe is me for I am undone for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.

Why did Isaiah’s hand go instinctively to his mouth? Why do words matter? 

What was God's response? He did not:

- berate Isaiah for his excessive self-flagellation

- relish in Isaiah's suffering, leave him to writhe 

- offer cheap grace

Instead, 

"Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."

The burning coal was used to cauterise dirty lips.

 

Dear Father, we pray that we might know your forgiveness, that we too might say, "here am I, send me".