Dear friends,

Once again, on Thursday evening, we used Halloween as an opportunity to share God’s love and remind people that Jesus is the light of the world as we shared drinks, treats and literature with passing families. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Halloween is an abbreviation of the Church calendar event of ‘All Hallows’ Eve’ – the day before All Saints’ Day – and that therefore the day’s title refers to holiness rather than the darkness that is celebrated. Think of the way that the Lord’s Prayer acknowledges God’s holiness with the words ‘Hallowed be your Name’.

That was the title of a sermon on God’s holiness that the two of us listened to some while back – a sermon which drove home a spiritual truth with fresh impact. The speaker based their message on a rather obscure text – Ezekiel 36:22-23 – one that reminded Israel that they had dishonoured God’s holy Name. It was a serious rebuke, suggesting that God had every reason to disown them.

But then they were offered this gem of hope. Not for their sake, but for the sake of His own name, God promised that ‘…the nations will know that I am the Lord, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.’ It is a hope that is shared by God’s people down the ages, even by you and me today. For the sake of His reputation, God makes His holiness known to the world, not just through awesome signs and wonders; not just through the beauty of creation; not even just through the sacrificial love of Jesus – but in and through you and me!

Do you feel ready for the task? No? Nor do we! We probably find it easier to identify with Paul when he claimed to be the ‘chief of sinners’. Yet the promise still holds true. God can – and will – make His holiness known through His people.

How can that be? The Bible tells us that as we allow God’s Holy Spirit to work in our lives, He grows fruit in us that is unique to Him, showing the world that we belong to Him – fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These qualities sharpen God’s image in our lives, making us more like Him. We might reasonably call this fruit ‘holiness’.

The thought that God makes His holiness known through us is at the same time an affirming hope, a wonderful promise… and a demanding challenge for us all, as He calls us to let Him work in our lives.

May God continue to reveal himself to us – and through us – in the coming weeks.

With our love and prayers
Matthew and Pauline