Ezekiel 44
Scripture
Ezekiel 44:23-They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.
Observation-What does it say?
"This chapter contains ordinances relative to the true priests. The prince evidently means Christ, and the words in verse 2, may remind us that no other can enter heaven, the true sanctuary, as Christ did; namely, by virtue of his own excellency, and his personal holiness, righteousness, and strength. He who is the Brightness of Jehovah's glory entered by his own holiness; but that way is shut to the whole human race, and we all must enter as sinners, by faith in his blood, and by the power of his grace." -Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Understanding-What does it mean?
If the true prince is Christ and He is the only One who could enter the temple, if we are not covered by His blood, we cannot enter the holy temple of God either. Also, as we are covered by the blood of the lamb and receive His Holy Spirit, there will be a difference between us and the "common" or those of the world. We entered in as sinners and have now been cleansed and set apart for Jesus Christ.
Life Application
Because we are cleansed by Jesus' blood and set apart for Him, can the world see the difference?
What personally encourages me and reminds me to be set apart for Jesus is filling my mind and my thoughts with Scripture. The enemy is the master of deceit and if we are not renewed DAILY in mind, spirit and heart, it's very easy to be taken captive by the devil's lies. Here are just a few Scriptures that speak on being set apart from the world. Holy Spirit, may we be washed daily by Your Word and live out what we believe so the world would know that we belong to You alone. Amen.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom. 12:2
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:15-18
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19
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-Michelle Gaddi