Ezekiel 29-33

I have read Ezekiel 29-33 the past couple of days.

33:9 - Implies that Ezekiel would not be saved if he was not faithful to fulfill his ministry. WOW!

33:11-20 - Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel?'
"Therefore, son of man, say to your people, 'If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person's former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person's former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous, if they sin, will not be allowed to live because of their former righteousness.' If I tell the righteous that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things they have done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. And if I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' but they then turn away from their sins and do what is just and right— if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil, they will surely live; they will not die. None of the sins they have committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live.
"Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just. If the righteous turn from their righteousness and do evil, they will die for it. And if the wicked turn away from their wickedness and do what is just and right, they will live by doing so. Yet you say, house of Israel, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But I will judge each of you according to your own ways."

One comment in the commentary I am reading along with Ezekiel really struck me. He says, "the one 'possessed hope without holiness,' the others were 'hearers of the word, but not doers of the work.'" WOW! That is so true of people today. Some have an unrealistic optimism based on how they were raised or what country they live in or some distorted view of what salvation is and others gather around to hear the Word constantly, but they never really apply it and do the work God has called them to do.

Another thing the commentator expresses is how the Bible always says that the way a man is living (in willful sin or striving for holiness) is what we are judged by and the Bible has no such concept as once saved always saved. God is not inconsistent if He saves a man and then that man chooses to live a sinful life that leads him away from grace. In those cases, God is consistent in holiness and judgment and the man is the one who is inconsistent. Isn't it funny how we can contrive a doctrine and then blame God if it doesn't work out. Our willing obedience is brought together with God's grace to save us. It would make God a very unjust God to save a man and then let him live like hell on earth, but somehow act as those His hands were tied to try the man for his sin. God is consistent and just and His grace is never ending, but obedience and grace will forever be tied together in the mystery of Christ.

33:31 - My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.

Today we are headed out to the apple orchard with some friends to pick apples and berries. Should be a lot of fun. Man, I sound like such a yuppie and I don't even own a Volvo. HA!

Love, Michael