“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:2. “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before Him, all the earth.” Psalm 96:9
What does beauty of holiness mean? Is holiness beautiful? True holiness is beautiful in God’s eyes. There is a false holiness, which the scribes and Pharisees exhibited in the days of Jesus. It is a holiness that is self-righteousness (“filthy rags,” Isaiah 64:6). It is not beautiful holiness. The Lord wants His children to serve Him, and to show forth His love, in the beauty of holiness. True worship is a matter of beauty as well as holiness. The temple services in Ancient Israel, as well as the attire of the priests was both beautiful and impressive, however outward beauty is not what is meant here. It is a spirit of quiet reverence, inward devotion and outward piety, devout earnestness and joyous gratitude. Heaven and earth can never have any greater beauty than the beauty of holiness.
Beyond the clothing of the body, is the clothing of the soul. No external comeliness can compare with the beauty of a holy character.
“The afflicted, suffering ones who sought Christ as their helper, were charmed with the divine perfection, the beauty of holiness, that shone forth in His character. But the Pharisees could see no beauty in Him that they should desire Him. His simple attire, and humble life, devoid of outward show, rendered Him to them as a root out of dry ground.” –The Review and Herald, March 15, 1887
If something is beautiful, it is desirable and accepted. To be beautiful before God, we must clothe ourselves with the holiness and beauty of Jesus Christ—Christ our Righteousness.
The beauty of holiness, is something desirable that is set apart. This is what God wants for His children—a beautiful character that is set apart from the world.
Holiness is making sure that every decision we make is in accordance with God’s will and thus, the Holy Spirit will continue to be our guide.
Every moment of our lives must be lived with holiness to the Lord.
How do you worship in beauty of holiness? To worship God in the beauty of holiness means that we must humble ourselves before Him and approach Him as well as serve Him with the fear of reverence and awe.
“The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested in the life and character of John present lessons of untold value to the Christian church. John did not naturally possess the loveliness of character that his later experience revealed. By nature he had serious defects. He was not only proud, self-assertive, and ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injury. He and his brother were called ‘sons of thunder.’ Evil temper, the desire for revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. But beneath all this the divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked this self-seeking, disappointed his ambitions, tested his faith. But He revealed to him that for which his
soul longed–the beauty of holiness, the transforming power of love.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 539–540
“John could talk of the Father’s love as no other of the disciples could. He revealed to his fellow men that which he felt in his own soul, representing in his character the attributes of God. The glory of the Lord was expressed in his face. The beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christlike radiance from his countenance. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and in his character was reflected the character of his Master.” –Ibid., p. 545
The following quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy will show you how to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
“The beauty of holiness is revealed as Christians draw near together, blending in Christlike love.” –The Upward Look, p. 233
“We should all learn of Christ what it means to be a Christian. Let us learn of Him how to combine firmness, justice, purity, and integrity with unselfish courtesy and kindly sympathy. Thus the character becomes lovable and attractive. The beauty of holiness will disarm scoffers.” –That I May Know Him, p. 218
“You should receive the righteousness of Christ, the sanctification of the Spirit of God, the beauty of holiness, that you may reveal to those around you the Light of life.” –Child Guidance, p. 95
“The social meetings and all other religious exercises should be so planned and managed that they will be not only profitable, but so pleasant as to be positively attractive. Praying together will bind hearts to God in bonds that will endure; confessing Christ openly and bravely, exhibiting in our characters His meekness, humility, and love, will charm others with the beauty of holiness.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 174
“We need to have more distinct views of Jesus and a fuller comprehension of the value of eternal realities. The beauty of holiness is to fill the hearts of God’s children; and that this may be accomplished, we should seek for divine disclosures of heavenly things.” –Prayer, p. 285
“Heavenly intelligences are waiting to co-operate with human instrumentalities, that they may reveal to the world what human beings may become and what, through their influence, they may accomplish for the saving of souls that are ready to perish. He who is truly converted will be so filled with the love of God that he will long to impart to others the joy that he himself possesses. The Lord desires His church to show forth to the world the beauty of holiness. She is to demonstrate the power of Christian religion. Heaven is to be reflected in the character of the Christian. The song of gratitude and praise is to be heard by those in darkness. For the good tidings of the gospel, for its promises and assurances, we are to express our gratitude by seeking to do others good. The doing of this work will bring rays of heavenly righteousness to wearied, perplexed, suffering souls. It is as a fountain opened for the wayworn, thirsty traveler. At every work of mercy, every work of love, angels of God are present.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 30–31
“In consideration of the shortness of time, we as a people should watch and pray, and in no case allow ourselves to be diverted from the solemn work of preparation for the great event before us. Because the time is apparently extended, many have become careless and indifferent in regard to their words and actions. They do not realize their danger, and do not see and understand the mercy of our God in lengthening their probation, that they may have time to form characters for the future immortal life. Every moment is of the highest value. Time is granted them, not to be employed in studying their own ease and becoming dwellers on the earth, but to be used in the work of overcoming every defect in their own characters, and in helping others to see the beauty of holiness by their example and personal effort. God has a people upon the earth who in faith and holy hope are tracing down the roll of fast fulfilling prophecy, and are seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth, that they may not be found without the wedding garment when Christ shall appear.” –The Review and Herald, August 16, 1887
“The Divine Being is to be worshiped in the beauty of holiness; for He is excellent in majesty and power.” –Notebook Leaflets, vol. 1, p. 118
Wendy Eaton