How should we prioritize holiness in our lives, inspired by Ezekiel 48:11? Setting the scene in Ezekiel 48:11 “It will be for the priests who are consecrated of the sons of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray along with the Israelites when the Israelites went astray.” God reserves a special portion of land for priests who stayed faithful while the nation drifted. The literal event underscores an enduring principle: the Lord distinguishes those who prize holiness even when it costs them. Why holiness must come first • It mirrors God’s own character (Leviticus 20:7–8). • It is a prerequisite for intimacy with Him (“without holiness no one will see the Lord,” Hebrews 12:14). • It safeguards us from the destructive pull of a wandering culture (James 1:27). • It positions us to serve fruitfully, just as the sons of Zadok were entrusted with temple ministry. What we learn from the sons of Zadok • They “kept My charge”—they obeyed every duty God assigned. • They “did not go astray”—they refused to follow the crowd into compromise. • They were rewarded tangibly—a vivid reminder that God notices faithfulness (Hebrews 6:10). Placing holiness at the top of today’s to-do list 1. Receive, don’t achieve: holiness starts with the finished work of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30). 2. Offer yourself daily: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). 3. Guard the gateways: eyes, ears, mind, and tongue (Psalm 101:3; Ephesians 4:29). 4. Choose companions wisely: “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). 5. Stay quick to confess: keep short accounts with God (1 John 1:9). 6. Serve where you stand: holiness expresses itself in practical love (1 Peter 1:22). Simple practices that keep the charge • Morning intake of Scripture before media. • Weekly digital fast to reset affections. • Memorize one verse on purity each month (e.g., Psalm 119:11). • Regular, transparent fellowship—no lone rangers (Hebrews 3:13). • Plan generosity: holiness isn’t only about avoidance; it overflows in giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). Encouragement when the culture drifts Just as the sons of Zadok stood firm while Israel wandered, we can rely on the Spirit’s power: “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement… perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). The Lord still sets apart a “sacred portion” of purpose and reward for those who place holiness first. |
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