QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION ~
Ezekiel
33:7-11 Have
you ever felt that you are called as “a watchman for God’? What warning
are you called to share with today’s
society?
Romans
13:8-14 What
does it mean for you to “clothe yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ’?
.
Matthew 18:15-20 What
do you think Jesus meant when he said, “treat him as you would a pagan or a
tax collector‟?
Questions for Reflection
ReplyDeleteEzekiel 33:7-11 Have you ever felt that you are called as “a watchman for God"? What warning are you called to share with today’s society?
Romans 13:8-14 What does it mean for you to “clothe yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ"?
Matthew 18:15-20 What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector?
Ezekiel was most definitely a watchman for God, over and over again, from chapter to chapter he warns not to think too highly of ourselves and lays out the disastrous consequences of doing so. Looking around us if we see the good things, good deeds and works as being of our own doings and not as from God, we are being very proud of ourselves and as Ezekiel has laid out over and over again, this attitude leads to destruction. Old Testament times were very scary times indeed, many examples of God punishing through His wrath, of peoples that did not keep His ordinances and laws. Really now, how can anyone follow and obey to the letter every ordinance perfectly? There were sacrifices required, but did these actually serve their purpose fully if the mans heart was still proud in the thinking that he had done something for God through them? And was not repentant?
Enter Jesus. God knew all along the wickedness in mans heart, the Old Testament shows those of us today how utterly foolish it is for us to think we can keep the law to the letter, to trust in our own devices and sense of righteousness is real folly. It is showing us the desperate need we have for a Mediator, a Saviour, a Redeemer, a Messiah!
Once again God provides! A perfect Lamb of God, spotless and sinless for all peoples who will simply believe in His name. The Messiah to take away the sins of the world. Oh what freedom we have in and through our Lord Jesus. The old laws and sin no longer bind, convict or condemn us in Christ.
God has made a way for us through His Love and Forgiveness in Christ alone, through Faith.
As we lay down our own imperfections and ways and in humility invite the Lord Jesus into our hearts He begins to transform us. We will begin to see as He sees, and Love as He Loves, not perfectly because we still live in the flesh, but the work He has begun He will surely finish. With the Faith He so mercifully gives us we must reach out to all people with His message of Salvation. Seeing everyone worthy of hearing this message, especially, even, pagans and tax collectors and sinners.
Jesus came for us all, not just the elite or the chosen. Showing compassion to the lost, the lowly, and even people we don't like so much, is what we are called to do.
In John 15:13
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"
Jesus has a much greater Love, He laid down His life for those who despised Him, His enemies!
With Christ we have this greater Love I believe. With Jesus in our hearts, who can stand against us, when, through His Love He makes all our friends.
All Praise, Power, Glory and Authority are Yours Lord Jesus, may You reign with Truth and Mercy forevermore. Amen.
Believe, and repent, God is very, very good. He keeps His Promises!
Neuron-h hasn't answered any of the questions asked. Is he called to a watchman for today's society? What has he been called to speak out about?
ReplyDeleteI believe all followers of Christ [all Christians] are called to speak out [be watchmen] for the outcasts/down-trodden/ misunderstood of society - as Jesus did. We are called to express this concern/compassion daily in our words and actions. This is one way in which we 'put on the clothes of Christ' - or try to live like him.