Holiness

When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing. [Ezekiel 44.19]

He explained, “This is where the priests will cook the meat from the guilt offerings and sin offerings and bake the flour from the grain offerings into bread. They will do it here to avoid carrying the sacrifices through the outer courtyard and endangering the people by transmitting holiness to them.” [Ezekiel 46.20]

Maybe a little understanding about holiness is in order here?

God's holiness is the real deal. And, according to what we read here in Ezekiel, God's holiness is a tangible thing.

We also see this also on the New Testament:

When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled. [Acts 19.12]

The handkerchiefs that had touched Paul's skin were a desirable benefit of God's holiness.

However, in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), the "benefit" of God's holiness was not so much of a benefit to them because they had harbored sin in their lives. The same holiness that would heal the sick would also kill pretenders. And, unfortunately, "grace" didn't help Ananias and Sapphira, did it?

"Grace" enables a pure heart to enjoy all the blessings of God. However, "grace" does not cover the unrepentant.

There it is again - repentance is very necessary if we intend to enjoy the blessings of God.

Father, I didn't even see 'repentance' coming when I started writing this today - but You did... Thank You for confirming once again the absolute necessity of holiness in our lives that comes only through repentance and living a repentant lifestyle.