June 8, 2022

Passage Read: Ezekiel 16-19
Meditation Verse: 18:24

Thought

If the righteous lives by faith, then his faith must produce righteousness. And if he turns from his righteousness, then something has gone wrong with his faith! How can he who fears the Lord and believes in Him such that he is compelled to do what is just and right (and which of the things listed above are really that hard?) later turn away from his life of righteousness and do wrong? Obviously, he has decided to reject the Lord, to no longer fear Him, but to do what he knows is wrong! It is a faith and trust issue, displayed by his lifestyle choices. It is not really the deeds that condemn him, but they reveal the state of his heart, his faith. He has turned away from believing in the Lord, or worse, decided to fight against the Lord.

Application

As painful as it can be to know and serve the Lord, the worst thing I could do is stop believing and fearing and honoring Him. And if I really believe and honor and fear Him, my life choices, big and small, should be made in light of who He is and what He requires. It is not salvation by works, but my deeds show the truth (or lie) of my faith. If I really believe in Him, I will do as He desires. If I'm not interested (or worse, unwilling) to do what He desires, then how can I say I believe in Him? I don't! I don't fear Him and I don't believe He rewards those who seek Him! I'm condemned by my unbelief. So let me always believe Him and do what pleases Him.