Quarantined: Day 7

Greatest is Love
Artist: Sukirtha Joseph Premnath
Artist Statement: Doesn’t holiness often feel like an Old Testament concept? Everytime I think of holiness, I remember the Ten Commandments, the Ark of Covenant, and how the Holy God interacted with an unholy nation. Thank God we are on this side of the cross!

With the covenant of grace, holiness no longer feels like an important aspect of the new covenant Christian life. At least, that is what we have come to believe. However, the New Testament is full of advice on holiness. As I meditated on holiness for this painting, the inspiration came from the New Testament scripture of 1 Peter 1:16 -“ for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.‘”

Jesus did not come to destroy the law but to uphold it through His sacrificial act of love on the cross. The God we serve is still Holy and desires holiness from us. Holiness is not legalism with a list of DOs and DON’Ts. It’s not born out of following strict rules from the Old Covenant. Holiness is a heart matter, a matter of love – perfect sacrificial love. Holiness follows when we love God and love people. Our love is imperfect at best, but when we abide in the love of Jesus, we partake in His holiness.

Today’s Journal Reflections

• What stands out to you in this painting? 
• Read 1 Peter 1:13-16. What word or phrase stands out to you in this passage?
• What comes to your mind when you hear the word holiness?
• Pray and ask for God to reveal areas in your life you might try to keep hidden and reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus that has already covered that sin?