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I learned quite some time ago from John 17 that the key to evangelical outreach is the unity and love of local body of believers (see verses 21 and 23). Reading in the Old Testament last evening I came upon a passage that reflects the same truth.

In Ezekiel 36 the prophet foretells the return of God’s people from exile. God will bring his people back to the land, not because they deserve it (vs. 22) but in order to protect his holy name which by their actions they have dishonored. In verse 23 he says, “And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes . . . then the nations will know that I am the Lord.”

Note that God intends to reveal his holiness “through [his people]” Believers are to undergo an inner transformation that allows God to reveal himself through them. In verse 26 they are to be given a “new heart” with “new and right desires,” as well as a “new spirit.” As the popular song of the 40s has it,”There’ll be some changes made.” They had polluted the land with murder and idolatry (vs. 18) but because of the coming transformation they will so manifest the holiness of God that the nations will be forced to acknowledge that Israel’s God is the one sovereign Lord of all.

So God’s desire is to reveal his holiness, who he is, through us. How is it going? Do our lives demonstrate to others the holiness of God? Does how we live reveal to the unbeliever the nature of God? These are serious questions. If not, we are the New Testament counterpart to the Israelites still in bondage. Not a pretty picture.

The other thing I noticed is that the holiness that is to characterize our life is not so much our holiness but God’s. God will “reveal [his] holiness” through us. As we obey the promptings of a “new obedient heart” God reveals to others what he is like and draws them to acknowledge that he is in fact God. As soon as holiness is assumed to be ours, pride enters and spiritual formation comes to a halt. As possessors of the image of God we are to reflect to a lost and dying world the loving nature of the God who revealed himself in his son Christ Jesus.

Want to spread the good news that God has acted in time and space for the welfare of sinners? Then let him reveal his holiness! Our role is to live lives marked by obedience which in turn allows others to see what God is like.

Bob Mounce