ESOCS Devotional 24 June 2025 – Holiness
MEMORY VERSE: “And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 5:2
TEXT: ACTS 5:1- 20
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”
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To be holy means to be set apart, to be distinct, separate. In the Old Testament, we see holiness vividly demonstrated in some of the laws where women and men would have to physically separate themselves from the camp for things like skin disease to become clean again (Lev 13). To be holy was to be pure and untainted by the world’s sickness or sin. It’s like there is a massive sign hanging over the highway to heaven that reads, “Perfect spiritual health required. All others self-quarantine for all eternity.” To get into heaven you have to be perfectly holy. You can’t have any spiritual sickness or disease. You can’t have sin on your record.
If you were to encounter God in all His holiness right now, it would dismay and overwhelm you. The prophet Isaiah saw God in all His holiness. He had a vision where he saw God set apart on a throne over the temple (Isa 6:1). God is surrounded by Seraphim, a type of angels. Even though these angels are pure beings, much better than us, they cover their faces so they don’t see God’s holiness and their feet, possibly representing a place typical of impurity and dirt (Exod. 3:5; Isa 6:2; John 13:10). They call out: Isaiah 6:3b-5: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Please read verses 4-5.
How does God’s holiness affect you? Do you feel like you’re good enough? You’re a good person. You’ve self-quarantined and donated money to the church. God will let you pass into heaven. You’re wrong; but there’s hope for you. Or maybe you’re on the other end. You know God could never accept you. You’re too dirty, too filthy for God to love you. You’re also wrong and there’s hope for you too. Ananias and Sapphira help us understand God’s holiness the right way.
Ananias and Sapphira don’t take God’s holiness seriously. We are supposed to worship Him with reverence, awe and respect because He is holy and set apart, and on the throne. That’s the exact opposite of what Ananias and Sapphira do. In their worship they lie and test God. They underestimate God’s holiness and God judges them worthy of death. See, now Jesus is ruling and reigning through His people, the Church. God’s Holy Spirit has filled the Church. This means God Himself has filled the body of believers. Remember how the building shook in Acts 4 like the temple in Isaiah 6? God is there! Be mindful what you do in the church (see Lev. 10:1-2).
CHALLENGES
- Seek righteousness and holy living, prioritize them. Never let go!
PRAYER POINT
- Father, help me be to live a holy life always. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Ezekiel 20:1-27; 20:28-49; Acts 5:21-42
ESOCS Devotional 24 June 2025
