Good Morning “Choosers”. Today we are in Ezekiel 20.
Salvation is by Grace through Faith + nothing: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Lest we even consider the idea that salvation by Grace through Faith (and not through the works of the Law) is only a New Testament idea, Ezekiel reminds us that this has ALWAYS been God’s standard. If we were weighed by our deeds, without the Grace of the Lord it would never be enough (Isaiah 64:6). We could never enter into a saving relationship with Him, whereby He would consider us co-inheritors with Jesus (Romans 8:17).
In God’s Grace, He considers our faith (the faith of imperfect and unrighteous people) as if it were righteousness. How can this be? We can be counted as righteous because the OBJECT of our faith (Messiah Jesus) is perfect and righteous. It is not our works of the Law, but rather His atoning work on our behalf that the Father accepts as righteousness. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Getting back to Ezekiel, religion in Israel had become so corrupt that idolatry was mixed with worship of YHWH. Worship was polluted and became worthless in God’s eyes. Salvation (God’s favor) was not determined by simply being Jewish and “going through the religious motions.” Just pursuing the culture of worship (while ignoring the ongoing pursuit of God’s Word) was dangerous because so many pagan ideologies & practices had been added, and they steered both the practice and philosophy of worship.
God’s Character and Justice meant He had to step in. He brought judgment to the kingdom and used their enemies to conquer and deport the people who merely bore His Name in a national sense. Why would He do that? Because He is a Just God. Also, He was separating the people who merely bore His Name NATIONALLY from those who would choose to bear His Name PERSONALLY. By God’s Grace, through the faith of the individual who chose to repent and follow Him as He prescribed, He (one by one) rebuilt His people - a Chosen People who had chosen Him.
Have you chosen to follow God, Who has chosen you (John 6:44) to be saved through your faith in Messiah Jesus? Following is demonstrated with obedience (John 14:21), and part of obedience is remaining in Him and His Word (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:9-11).
Love you all! Dig in!
Salvation is by Grace through Faith + nothing: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Lest we even consider the idea that salvation by Grace through Faith (and not through the works of the Law) is only a New Testament idea, Ezekiel reminds us that this has ALWAYS been God’s standard. If we were weighed by our deeds, without the Grace of the Lord it would never be enough (Isaiah 64:6). We could never enter into a saving relationship with Him, whereby He would consider us co-inheritors with Jesus (Romans 8:17).
In God’s Grace, He considers our faith (the faith of imperfect and unrighteous people) as if it were righteousness. How can this be? We can be counted as righteous because the OBJECT of our faith (Messiah Jesus) is perfect and righteous. It is not our works of the Law, but rather His atoning work on our behalf that the Father accepts as righteousness. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Getting back to Ezekiel, religion in Israel had become so corrupt that idolatry was mixed with worship of YHWH. Worship was polluted and became worthless in God’s eyes. Salvation (God’s favor) was not determined by simply being Jewish and “going through the religious motions.” Just pursuing the culture of worship (while ignoring the ongoing pursuit of God’s Word) was dangerous because so many pagan ideologies & practices had been added, and they steered both the practice and philosophy of worship.
God’s Character and Justice meant He had to step in. He brought judgment to the kingdom and used their enemies to conquer and deport the people who merely bore His Name in a national sense. Why would He do that? Because He is a Just God. Also, He was separating the people who merely bore His Name NATIONALLY from those who would choose to bear His Name PERSONALLY. By God’s Grace, through the faith of the individual who chose to repent and follow Him as He prescribed, He (one by one) rebuilt His people - a Chosen People who had chosen Him.
Have you chosen to follow God, Who has chosen you (John 6:44) to be saved through your faith in Messiah Jesus? Following is demonstrated with obedience (John 14:21), and part of obedience is remaining in Him and His Word (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:9-11).
Love you all! Dig in!
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
Categories
no categories
Tags
no tags