Readings for today: Ezekiel 18-19, Hebrews 9:1-10, Psalms 106:32-48, Proverbs 27:10
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” God loves the righteous. God loves the man or woman who aligns their lives with His Law. God blesses those who submit their lives to Him. Surrender their ways to Him. Give control over to Him. God wants us to be holy even as He is holy. He created us for His glory. He designed us to bear His image into the world. What does such a life look like?
Listen to how Ezekiel describes it, “If a man is righteous and does what is just and right— if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 18:5-9)
Now some will immediately raise the objection of legalism. They will suggest that attempting to live according to God’s Law is an attempt to justify ourselves before God. They will warn of the danger of trying to earn God’s favor. Earn God’s love. Earn our own salvation. Nothing could be farther from Ezekiel’s mind. Faithful Jews throughout history have never been legalists. Faithful Jews have always understood they are saved by faith in Yahweh. They know the story of Abraham well. However, what faithful Jews also know is that faith always comes to expression in real life. James was a faithful Jew and when he came to faith, he continued to teach what he already knew. “Faith without works is dead.” One cannot claim to believe in Christ and not walk in His ways. One cannot claim to know Christ and ignore His commands. One cannot claim to trust Christ and reject His law. Those who are truly saved understand we are not only saved from something – sin – but we are saved for something – good works. The same works the prophet Ezekiel refers to in the passage cited above.
What is righteousness? It is believing in God to the point where you trust Him with your life. It is being confident in God to the point where you stake your life on His promises. It is trusting God more than your emotions. More than your logic. More than your ability. More than your wealth or position or power or privilege. The people Ezekiel is preaching to needed to be reminded what a life lived for God looks like in real time. It involves worship with God’s people. Sexual purity. Integrity in our financial dealings. Generous giving to the poor and less fortunate. Working for justice. These are the markers of a life of great faithfulness and they give evidence of a heart fully surrendered to God.
So where is your heart today? If someone were to follow you around and make a documentary of your life, what would the people around you see? Would they see clear evidence of a life lived for God? Or a life lived for oneself? Would they see your faith take concrete expression in acts of mercy and love? Or would they see hypocrisy? Would they see a righteous life? The kind of life God honors? Or would they see a life lived in pursuit of worldly goods and worldly goals? Friends, God longs to bless you. God longs to bring you peace. God longs to help you. Heal you. Restore your soul. But God will not bless the unrighteous life. He will not bless a life lived in rebellion to Him. A life lived in apathy towards Him. A life that is dismissive of Him. Turn to Christ. Cling to His truth and follow His way that you may receive His life.
Readings for tomorrow: Ezekiel 20, Hebrews 9:11-28, Psalms 107, Proverbs 27:11