November 23, 2006 - Ezekiel 20-21 and James 5
God is concerned about all of the unbelievers in the world, and He wants them to find salvation through Him. This has always been God's heart, and it will always be His heart, because God is love. Therefore, God calls on believers to present a good witness to the unbelievers through their words and actions. When this does not happen, God has to act for His name's sake. He has to protect His reputation, since the believers are not giving a good picture of His character to the unbelievers around them. God has to punish the believers for their rebellion, and He has to restore them to righteousness. I pray that each of us are mindful of our witness to those around us all of the time.
Ezekiel 20 explains how God had to act to protect His name, because the Israelites were such a sinful people. (v.9,14,22,44) God was looking for the Israelites to be a good example before the world, but they were sinning more than the Gentiles in many ways. Therefore, God had to punish them. However, God is still longing for the day, when Israel will present a good witness to the world. (v.40) I believe that day will come at the end of time as we know it. God is looking for the same thing in the church now. His desire is for each of us to show His glory to those around us, so they will come to know Him, too. How are you doing in your witness?
Ezekiel 21 tells us that God had to send the sword to destroy Israel, because of the sin. This was to show that He was not pleased with the sin. It was to bring an end to the rebellion. God has to do the same thing today. Have you experienced the sword of God in your life? Has He had to come against you, because you were going in the wrong direction? I pray that we will not experience the sword of the Lord, but the favor of the Lord, because we are giving a good witness for the Lord to those around us.
James 5 can be understood in this same way. The rich Christians should be the best employers. They should treat their employees with respect and provide for them in an honest fair way. They should be a witness to God's love by how they do business. If not, the world gets the wrong picture. Also, believers should be patient with others. They should not grumble against others, but be kind like the Lord. Others should see their compassion and their honesty all the time. Finally, all believers should be people of prayer to show our trust in God. If we find a believer who is not trusting God, we should try to turn him back to the Lord. This will save him from experiencing the sword of the Lord, and it will keep the world from seeing a bad witness.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 22-23 and I Peter 1.
Ezekiel 20 explains how God had to act to protect His name, because the Israelites were such a sinful people. (v.9,14,22,44) God was looking for the Israelites to be a good example before the world, but they were sinning more than the Gentiles in many ways. Therefore, God had to punish them. However, God is still longing for the day, when Israel will present a good witness to the world. (v.40) I believe that day will come at the end of time as we know it. God is looking for the same thing in the church now. His desire is for each of us to show His glory to those around us, so they will come to know Him, too. How are you doing in your witness?
Ezekiel 21 tells us that God had to send the sword to destroy Israel, because of the sin. This was to show that He was not pleased with the sin. It was to bring an end to the rebellion. God has to do the same thing today. Have you experienced the sword of God in your life? Has He had to come against you, because you were going in the wrong direction? I pray that we will not experience the sword of the Lord, but the favor of the Lord, because we are giving a good witness for the Lord to those around us.
James 5 can be understood in this same way. The rich Christians should be the best employers. They should treat their employees with respect and provide for them in an honest fair way. They should be a witness to God's love by how they do business. If not, the world gets the wrong picture. Also, believers should be patient with others. They should not grumble against others, but be kind like the Lord. Others should see their compassion and their honesty all the time. Finally, all believers should be people of prayer to show our trust in God. If we find a believer who is not trusting God, we should try to turn him back to the Lord. This will save him from experiencing the sword of the Lord, and it will keep the world from seeing a bad witness.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 22-23 and I Peter 1.