Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 18:1-18 (day four) Verse 9 says, “if He walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully-he is righteous and will surely live, declares the Lord God.” This verse seems to mirror the message found in Habakkuk 2:4. “…the righteous will live by his faith.” When we live by faith, we live in obedience to God’s commands. Ezekiel has listed a number of things that the righteous man will or will not do. Faith is a very active state…when we walk by faith, we are not passive and inactive. Some believe that to walk by faith is blind, thoughtless motion…not so! Faithfulness is yielding to God’s way of life…putting aside our prideful pursuit of our own will. In Romans 1:17, Paul introduced this same truth into his own theology…”the righteous man will live by faith.” The truths of God’s Word never change…it is still true today!
Month: May 2014
Inner honesty
RE Verse reading–Ezekiel 20:1-32 (day six) “As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me.” (v 2) When the elders of Judah got a “no comment” response from God, it must have been a shock. Isn’t God supposed to “let bygones be bygones”? Isn’t He supposed to be available whenever we are ready to talk? Yes, but the condition for such a conversation is inner honesty. What God is not willing to do is have a conversation with people who avoid the long issues that impact the relationship. Idolatry, a pattern of disobedience, disregard for the Sabbath, address these issues and the heart of God will open in mercy. Pretend they don’t matter and hear Heaven’s silence. “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom”–Psalm 51:6. Facing the truth about ourselves is always the hardest task. We all avoid it, but God requires it. “Come, let us reason. . .”