Bible Study - Beyond Belief (3) - GOD is Just - Ezekiel 18:21-32 - June 15, 2014

Bible Study – Beyond Belief (3) – GOD is Just – June 15, 2014

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Does What I Believe About GOD Change Anything?”

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Our focus scripture is Ezekiel 18:21-24, 30-32

GOD is always just because HE is Holy and the source of love and truth. This does not mean HE is namby-pamby. HE treats sin as sin and that is why Christians must confess their sins. Un-confessed sins are like shackles holding a Christian back from obediently serving GOD as the Holy Spirit leads him or her. Sin is a barrier between GOD and mankind which was broken by the shed blood of JESUS. As proof that it was broken and the penalty for sin was paid in full GOD raised JESUS from the dead and because HE lives, so do all who place their faith in JESUS.

So far in our study we have considered:

GOD’S Holiness, GOD’S Love and GOD’S Justice

Our study this week is amazing and again reveals the heart of GOD from the beginning to the present.

Our study is about justice. Human nature is very revealing. When we are wronged, we want justice done but when the shoe is on the other foot, we want mercy.

Our scripture is found in the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a younger contemporary of the Prophet Jeremiah. The Babylonians had conquered Jerusalem and took some of the Jews captive to Babylon. The Prophet Jeremiah ministered to the people still in Judah/Jerusalem area, whereas the Prophet Ezekiel ministered to those held captive and already exiled in Babylonia. Ezekiel was taken to Babylonia about 596 B.C.

Those were dark days in Israel’s history. The Israelites believed they were being unjustly treated for the sins of their fathers by GOD. GOD’S message through HIS prophet Ezekiel was designed for them to see that they were being punished because of their sins, not the sins of their fathers.

In our focus scripture, GOD’S message through Ezekiel was that all of them were responsible for their own sins. Yet, they tried to blame their plight on their fathers sins. GOD is just and does not allow the righteousness or unrighteousness of one person to dictate another person’s relationship with HIM. Bottom line, everyone is responsible for his or her sin and is accountable to GOD. This has not changed.

Since CHRIST’S coming to earth to reveal GOD in human form through HIS life and passion, humans today have a clear picture of the love GOD has for all people and to the extent HE goes to reach out to all people. All people have a choice. Today their choice is do they accept or reject JESUS? There will be judgment day one day.

GOD gave the Israelites the same choice before CHRIST came to earth: who will they obediently worship and obediently serve: GOD/CHRIST or something/someone else?

We all live in the present. What happened a split second ago is in the past and the future second is yet to come. All humans live in the present. Decisions are made in the present. Now is the exact moment to repent of your sins, Christian or non-Christian because the next second is not certain. Keep that in mind as we study our lesson.

This lesson reveals the heart of GOD toward all people and HIS love and concern for them. But each person has a choice then, as revealed in the Old Testament, and now, as revealed in the New Testament. GOD’S message to all people has been made clear: salvation is through faith in CHRIST.

Background: During the period the Israelites were held captive in Babylon, some believed in GOD, some do not trust HIM and others had false notions about GOD and truth:

In Ezekiel 12:21-24:

21 Again the word of the Lord came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb you people have about the land of Israel, which goes: The days keep passing by, and every vision fails? 23 Therefore say to them: This is what the Lord God says: I will put a stop to this proverb, and they will not use it again in Israel. But say to them: The days draw near, as well as the fulfillment of every vision. 24 For there will no longer be any false vision or flattering • divination within the house of Israel.

Again, some of the Israelites believed things would not change regardless of GOD’S promises and the warning espoused through HIS prophet Ezekiel.

In Ezekiel 12:26-28:

26 The word of the Lord came to me: 27 “Son of man, notice that the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees concerns many years from now; he prophesies about distant times.’ 28 Therefore say to them: This is what the Lord God says: None of My words will be delayed any longer. The message I speak will be fulfilled.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.

Some of the Israelites believed that years would pass before GOD would do anything for them.

In Ezekiel 13:1-7:

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the Lord! 3 This is what the Lord God says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in battle on the day of the Lord. 6 They see false visions and speak lying • divinations. They claim, ‘This is the Lord’s declaration,’ when the Lord did not send them, yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. 7 Didn’t you see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you proclaimed, ‘This is the Lord’s declaration,’ even though I had not spoken?

Some of the Israelites embraced the teaching of false prophets rather than the truth from the true prophet of GOD.

As we approach the later days as Christian’s, we will be enticed to embrace false teachings with such cleverness that even the elect (true Christians) can be fooled. Christians must study GOD’S Word, the Bible and build the right relationship with GOD so they will not be misled or deceived as we read in Matthew 24:21-24:

21 For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again! 22 Unless those days were limited, no one would survive. But those days will be limited because of the elect. 23 “If anyone tells you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Over here!’ do not believe it! 24 False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

GOD had warned the Israelites what would happen to them if they did not repent before they were defeated and led captive to Babylon. They thought that since they were GOD’S chosen and lived in Judah/Jerusalem near the area of the temple, GOD would spare them from any enemy take over. We studied this about a year ago. They did not repent and they were captured. GOD is just and the rain falls upon the just and the unjust. Matthew 5:45:

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (KJV)

There are times when GOD allows bad things to come into our lives to get our attention and for our good. In our study, we see that GOD was still trying to get the attention of HIS chosen people to see that HE is sovereign and in charge of the present as well as the future. The group was impacted but each person was responsible and accountable to GOD. Their choices and refusal to repent determined their future.

Let’s read Ezekiel 18:1-4:

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel: The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live”—this is the declaration of the Lord God —“you will no longer use this proverb in Israel. 4 Look, every life belongs to Me. The life of the father is like the life of the son —both belong to Me. The person who sins is the one who will die.

The Israelites were quoting the proverb in verse 2, which in essence they were saying that it was the sins of their fathers that resulted in their plight. GOD set them straight through HIS message delivered by the Prophet Ezekiel. They were to stop hiding behind that proverb because every life belongs to HIM; the father and the son. The person who sins is accountable for his or her sin and will die.

“Die” refers to the broken relationship between the person who sins and GOD. Sin blocks the communication and potential relationship between GOD and mankind. That is why CHRIST came to earth. HE broke the sin barrier by willingly giving HIS life through the shedding of HIS blood to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. HE paid the price for our sins but there is a vital step each person must take and that is to ask HIM to forgive us for our sins and to accept HIM as our Savior. HIS shed blood redeems the lost person from the consequence of sin, which is death when they place their faith in HIM.

If you have not taken that step of faith now is the present moment for you to take that opportunity. We are not promised the next second. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life. HE will and you will experience the miracle of rebirth in your spirit, be born-anew into GOD’S family, receive eternal life, indwelled by the Holy Spirit and become a permanent citizen of Heaven. That is guaranteed by GOD and JESUS.

Let’s explore our focus scripture!

GOD’S Justice Toward the Repentant.

Let’s read Ezekiel 18:21-23:

21 “Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die. 22 None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?

GOD set the record straight. Salvation is not complicated for any person. The wicked person has hope when he or she turns to GOD and keeps all of HIS statutes. The wicked person will not die but live:

-         Transgression will not held against him

-         He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced

-         GOD takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked

-         GOD takes great delight when he turns from his wicked ways and lives.

Keep in mind that GOD’S desire is for people to focus on the present. What has been done is in the past and the future has not arrived, therefore, now is the opportune time to take action on your Spiritual needs: confession, repentance and salvation.

The wicked refers to those who do what is morally wrong, un-Godly, condemned or hostile to GOD. GOD referenced the wicked in contrast to the righteous.

The present instant is the opportunity for the vilest person to ask CHRIST, in faith, to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for HIM to come into his or her life. CHRIST in you is what makes you a Christian and it is your faith in HIM that results in you receiving eternal life. Salvation is the beginning of building an intimate, loving, personal relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

Today is the day of salvation. In GOD’S eyes what is in the past is just that -gone. Satan will use your past in an effort to defeat you but the scripture reveals Hebrews 10:16-17:

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (KJV)

When we confess our sins and we repent, HE forgives, restores us back in fellowship with HIM and forgets our sins. (1John 1:9)

We have to be careful when considering verse 22. It seems that good deeds are all that it takes for a person to get to heaven. We need to consider the word “righteous.” Righteous as used in this verse refers to specific deeds prescribed by GOD in HIS Law and carries the idea of conforming to GOD’S standards. The Apostle Paul addresses this somewhat in Romans 2:12-16:

12 All those who sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all those who sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous. 14 So, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, instinctively do what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them 16 on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.

GOD’S message to the people is that HIS desire is for all people to repent, obediently follow HIM and live. This is captured by the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:9:

9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

GOD loves all and HIS desire is for all to come to HIM and obediently serve HIM because HE loves them. But each person has a choice as described in the Old Testament or today as described in the New Testament. Have you made your choice?

Justice Toward the Rebellious.

Let’s read Ezekiel 18:24:

24 But when a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. He will die because of the treachery he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.

In verses 21-23, GOD’S message was the promise of life to the wicked person who repented and obeyed HIS statutes. Now GOD has a message for the outwardly appearing righteous person who turns from practicing GOD’S written laws and practices iniquity and detestable acts. Detestable acts are “abominations”, which includes idolatry and child sacrifice.

The person who appears to be righteous, based upon outward actions, but stops and turns to do the things that the wicked do, he or she will die because the person has been living a deceptive life of treachery. Treachery connotes strong opposition to GOD and HIS ways. Such a person will die because they have tried to live according to their own dictates and not GOD’S.

It is all about the heart. True faith endures. Any Christian may stray but they will come back and GOD has waited on them to return with open arms to welcome them back into fellowship with HIM. WOW!!! What an amazing Father we have. Remember the parable JESUS told about the prodigal son. That is a wonderful picture of GOD and HIS desire for all who stray to return.

We, as fellow humans, cannot see the heart of another person. We only see the actions of a person. Some people can fake being righteous/Christians but GOD knows our hearts. GOD does not keep an account of the good versus the bad a person does. It is clear that all the good, this apparent righteous person had done, GOD does not remember. He was doing his own thing and was giving eye-service to those around him but GOD knew his heart.

The Good News is that faith in CHRIST results in the miracle of rebirth. Once Christians are born-again in their spirit, they will never become unborn but they can lose their rewards. Christians can allow sin to come into their lives and when they do it blocks the Holy Spirit from leading and guiding them, which compromises their walk of obedience.

The Apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:

11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.

All Christians are sinners saved by grace and live under grace. But some people deceive themselves as JESUS recorded in Matthew 7:21-:

21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)

So sad! Do you know that you have been born-again? If not, now is the present and you can.

GOD’S Way Isn’t Fair or Is It?

Let’s read Ezekiel 18:25-29:

25 “But you say, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’ Now listen, house of Israel: Is it My way that is unfair? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair? 26 When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has practiced. 27 But if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life. 28 He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die. 29 But the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s way isn’t fair.’ Is it My ways that are unfair, house of Israel? Instead, isn’t it your ways that are unfair?

Neither the Israelites nor Christians get a free pass when it comes to sin. Sin has consequences for all. GOD’S chosen are accountable to GOD and must confess their sins to maintain their relationship with GOD. Sin blocks the relationship even though we are HIS children. Christians do not lose their salvation but they will lose their rewards because they are out of relationship with the LORD and do not respond to HIS call for obedient service. Un-confessed sin compromises the joy of our salvation.

GOD continued HIS message to the people through Ezekiel and gave them something to ponder.

GOD’S Justice Calls for a Response.

Let’s read Ezekiel 18:30-32:

30 “Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment. 31 Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “So repent and live!

GOD’S message to the people was, now is the time for each of you to take a Spiritual inventory. Are you faking your relationship with ME or is it genuine. If you come up short, now or the present instant, is the time to repent. Another second is not guaranteed, so respond while you have the opportunity.

Often, we think we can hide behind religion but notice the message from GOD to the Israelites in verse 30. HE addressed the “House of Israel” as a whole but HE goes immediately to the fact that HE “will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.” GOD will not judge people as a group but as individuals. The only coattails we can ride into heaven on are the LORD JESUS by placing our faith in HIM.

GOD has made it plain. So what can a person do about it? GOD’S message is straight forward, “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment.” Repent means to stop and go in the opposite direction.

When you discover a transgression, throw it off violently as you would a venomous snake. Get rid of it immediately. Do not let it linger because sin is designed to capture you and take control of you. The flesh battles with the Spirit and the nature of a person’s heart will determine who will win. The heart focused on GOD for his or her strength, will win.

To get a new heart and a new spirit confess your sins, repent and seek a genuine, active, dynamic relationship with GOD. The determination and strength of a person is not adequate to create within him or herself a new heart; it requires the power of GOD. It is a partnership between the individual and GOD. Certainly when a person asks CHRIST for forgiveness and for HIM to come into his or her life, the miracle of rebirth happens in an instant. The Apostle Paul recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

The LORD asks a pointed question directed to the Israelites “Why should you die, house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “So repent and live!”

If you remain stubborn and refuse to repent you will die. You will separate yourself from the very source that’s provides life, cares for you and empowers change in your life. GOD stated very clearly that HE takes “NO Pleasure” in anyone’s death. The choice is for each person to make but he or she must choose wisely because his or her decision is eternal.

It is amazing the extent GOD goes to be just.

The Apostle Paul recorded in Romans 8:9-11:

9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.

Do you have the Holy Spirit? Romans 8:15-16:

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “ • Abba , Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

To me this has been an amazing study and an opportunity to compare GOD’S message to the Israelites through Ezekiel and the message of CHRIST. GOD truly loves all people and desires for all to come to HIM for salvation through CHRIST and to dwell with HIM for eternity as HIS Son or Daughter. My prayer is that you have made that decision and are living for HIM. The present is now and GOD is just and desires for no person to perish. Blessings!!!