Robert Murray McCheyne—A man of “unusual” holiness

The Bible is clear that a Christian is to “be holy, because I AM holy” (I Peter 1:16). Robert Murray McCheyne not only obeyed this command, but lived before God and others with an “unusual” holiness.

A brief account of McCheyne reveals his impact on others:

“A cynic was once asserting to a follower of Jesus the hypocrisy of Christians, but when he asked if she had ever met a genuine ‘man of God’ she replied, “Yes, I saw one, a minister in this hotel, who was a man of God. His very look did me good.”

After reading this story, I asked myself a few questions. “How does a look convey such holiness?” “Was McCheyne’s holy behavior unique or is it available to every Christian?” and finally “How did McCheyne become this holy?

His biographer explains:

“He was never satisfied with his own attainments in holiness; he was ever ready to learn, and quick to apply, any suggestion that might tend to his greater usefulness. About this period he used to sing a psalm or hymn every day after dinner. It was often, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” or “Oh, may we stand before the Lamb!”.

Huh. Well….maybe this is too simplistic, but here is why I believe McCheyne was uniquely holy:

McCheyne hated sin. So does God.

Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: ¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, ¹⁹ a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

McCheyne loved the truth. So does God.

Psalm 51:6 Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

McCheyne acted for the glory of God. So does God.

Ezekiel 20:14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

McCheyne loved the church. So does God.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

McCheyne believed in discipline. So does God.

Hebrews 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

The bottom line is Robert Murray McCheyne was holy because he feared God. Do you?

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

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