Proximity to holiness does not make us holy Luke 23:39 (ESV) 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” • Holiness Isn’t Automatic Haggai 2:10–12 (ESV) 10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 12 ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’ ” The priests answered and said, “No.” Leviticus 6:27 (ESV) 27 Whatever touches its flesh shall be holy, and when any of its blood is splashed on a garment, you shall wash that on which it was splashed in a holy place. Exodus 3:5 (ESV) 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Holiness always involves surrender and cleansing. Matthew 23:25–26 (ESV) 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 2 Timothy 3:5 (ESV) 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. Romans 12:1 (ESV) 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. • Sin Contaminates Quickly Haggai 2:13 (ESV) 13 Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” 1 Corinthians 5:6 (ESV) 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Haggai 2:14 (ESV 14 Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. Hosea 6:6 (ESV) 6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. • Blessing Follows Obedience Haggai 2:15–18 (ESV) 15 Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord. 18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider: Haggai 2:17 (ESV) 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord. Hebrews 12:9–11 (ESV) 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 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. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Haggai 2:19 (ESV) 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.” The blessings of God is the fruit of repentance. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Psalm 51:17 (ESV) 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Acts 3:19–20 (ESV) 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, We don’t repent so God will love us. We repent because He already does. Guided Repentance and Confession Ask: Where have I been near holy things but far from You?” Where have I been going through motions? Where have I tolerated compromise? Where has sin quietly spread into my heart? Confess: “Lord, this is where I’ve drifted… “Lord, this is what I’ve been holding onto… “Lord, cleanse me from this sin… Pray: Father, I don’t want borrowed holiness. Father, I don’t want empty religion. Father, I don’t want to stand near You I want to walk with You. Father, Search me. Cleanse me. Make me Holy as you are Holy. Father, fulfill Your promise and bring new life, new obedience, and the blessing of Your presence.