September 13, 2012 (Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18 )
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Son of man, give your people this message: ‘The righteous behavior of righteous people will not save them if they turn to sin, nor will the wicked behavior of wicked people destroy them if they repent and turn from their sins.” Ezekiel 33:12 NLT
Observation: God gave Ezekiel some powerful messages to deliver to the people. Strong messages of repentance and abandonment of wickedness were required because the people had forsaken God and His righteous standards. Notice God did not instruct Ezekiel to accept or condone the way people were living in the name of peace and love. Rather, God instructed Ezekiel to shine a light of righteousness on people exposing all their wicked acts and deeds. Ezekiel was not instructed to do this out of hate, but because of God’s love for people. God desired them to repent and turn from wickedness. Ezekiel was motivated to proclaim the message to the people because he loved them; he was obedient to God because he loved Him.
Application: This warning is intended to emphasize the importance of remaining faithful and committed. It is not enough to commit to righteousness at some distant point in time and then drift away from it and return to a lifestyle of sin and wickedness. The righteous behavior of your past will not save you. Nor will the sin and wickedness of your past destroy you if you repent and turn from that wickedness. Turn from wickedness and turn to righteousness. Walk in a newness of life. Forgetting those things that are behind, press on ahead toward the good things God has in store for you. Don’t count on your past righteousness to save you and don’t worry about your past sins destroying you. Trust in His present grace and mercy and walk daily with Him. Only in Christ can we walk in such victory!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right at all times. Help me remember to count on Your present mercy and grace and not depend on past righteousness or worry about past sins and failures. I repent of wickedness! I turn from it and run toward You! You are my Savior, my King, my Lord and my God! In Jesus name, Amen!