Read Ezekiel 18:1-32
What a powerful message for God. Even though it was originally intended for the wayward Israelites God sought after, isn’t he still searching after us as well. Some of us are easier to find because we’re drawing closer to him, yet we always seem to fall short.
Here in these verses we see the kind of behavior that is pleasing to God. We also see how God rewards and disciplines when our behaviors fit or flee from God’s high standard. Some would be troubled by such expectations. Others continually seek to be better at achieving such a lifestyle.
It’s reassuring in a way to know that we’re only responsible for our own actions. Any time you understand how something “works” it’s a golden moment. It is my hope and prayer that my actions reflect Jesus enough that the people around me, particularly my own wayward loved ones do what God requests here. “I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!” Powerful.
You may remember the story of the blind man Jesus healed whose blindness was thought by his disciples to possibly be due to his parents’ sinfulness. These verses would suggest and support what Jesus had said about the man’s affliction in John 9:3, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
There is caution here to not step away from living a righteous life. I don’t think many people know we get such a direct comment from God himself. “When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it.” That’s pretty “black and white.”
I can appreciate the tradition I grew up with that included a confession and forgiveness moment in each worship service. We need to be aware of our sinful nature and acknowledge it before God and others. The world has its own evil pressure to deal with. Both can be deadly to our faith journey forward.
Each day is a gift. That’s a pretty fair gift from God every morning. What we do with the days he’s given us are at our disposal, to a degree. Work, food, and rest all fill up part of that day. I should add “worship” to those top time fillers. How else do you honor God each day?
Let’s pray. LORD, thank you for opening up opportunities to talk to people about you. Help me recognize those moments and embrace them. I never want to miss out on a chance to share about how you are moving in this world. I see your fingerprints everywhere, God. I am so grateful that I can slow down and notice more of your beauty and majesty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
