Execute Justice and Righteousness
In every nation there are rulers who are in charge of leading the people. There are good rulers and bad rulers. God commanded the princes or rulers of His people to execute justice and righteousness, to remove violence and plundering, as well as, to stop dispossessing His people.(Ezekiel 45:9) Of course, that is God's ideal for every nation, but it did not happen very well in Israel and it does not happen very often in other nations either. We should consider why this is true.
People are basically selfish and immoral. They do immoral and unethical things to get more money, things, and pleasure for themselves. We have all kinds of laws against all kinds of violent, unjust, unrighteous, and uncaring activities, but so far, none of those laws and their corresponding punishments have been successful at eliminating that behavior. How did God expect the princes of His people to be able to do them, if that is the case? God was calling these men to be fully devoted to Him and to following His ways, instead of following the dictates of their hearts. God expected them to turn from the love of money, things, and pleasure to loving Him, and He knew that when they did that, they would love others, also. In other words, only a change of heart will bring a true change of behavior.
This is why I say that only an awakening can bring America to be a place where we execute justice and righteousness. It will not come by laws or better punishment or rehabilitation. It will come by changed hearts. It will come by people turning to Jesus, because they see the hopelessness of selfish and immoral behavior. However, they will only know the right way to go, when we, as believers, show them by our lives and by our words that Jesus is the only way to God, and His way of living is the only way that brings true happiness and contentment. Will we ever see this in America? I don't know, but I do know that we will only see it if God's people get serious about sharing the Gospel, because it is the power of God unto salvation. Only salvation through Jesus Christ brings a changed heart that desires to stay away from violence, plundering, injustice, unrighteousness, and anything that would dispossess people.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 47-48 and Daniel 1.
People are basically selfish and immoral. They do immoral and unethical things to get more money, things, and pleasure for themselves. We have all kinds of laws against all kinds of violent, unjust, unrighteous, and uncaring activities, but so far, none of those laws and their corresponding punishments have been successful at eliminating that behavior. How did God expect the princes of His people to be able to do them, if that is the case? God was calling these men to be fully devoted to Him and to following His ways, instead of following the dictates of their hearts. God expected them to turn from the love of money, things, and pleasure to loving Him, and He knew that when they did that, they would love others, also. In other words, only a change of heart will bring a true change of behavior.
This is why I say that only an awakening can bring America to be a place where we execute justice and righteousness. It will not come by laws or better punishment or rehabilitation. It will come by changed hearts. It will come by people turning to Jesus, because they see the hopelessness of selfish and immoral behavior. However, they will only know the right way to go, when we, as believers, show them by our lives and by our words that Jesus is the only way to God, and His way of living is the only way that brings true happiness and contentment. Will we ever see this in America? I don't know, but I do know that we will only see it if God's people get serious about sharing the Gospel, because it is the power of God unto salvation. Only salvation through Jesus Christ brings a changed heart that desires to stay away from violence, plundering, injustice, unrighteousness, and anything that would dispossess people.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 47-48 and Daniel 1.