Read It, And Think For Yourself…

People who support abortion and claim to be Christians say there are no supporting evidences in the Bible that clearly show God’s stance on the issue. Apparently they have never read Ezekiel chapter 16. I’m just going to ask you to read it and think for yourself. The chapter is long, but you need to read it to its entirety. I’ll highlight major sections here. What are your thoughts now?

On the day you were born, no one cared about you. Your umbilical cord was not cut, and you were never washed, rubbed with salt, and wrapped in cloth. 5 No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die.6 “But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’ 7 And I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field. You grew up and became a beautiful jewel Ezekiel 16:4-7a

I will punish you for your murder and adultery Ezekiel 16:38a

43 But first, because you have not remembered your youth but have angered Me by doing all these evil things, I will fully repay you for all of your sins, says the Sovereign Lord. For you have added lewd acts to all your detestable sins. Ezekiel 16:43

16 There are six things the Lord hates–no, seven things He detests:17 haughty eyes,a lying tongue,hands that kill the innocent,18 a heart that plots evil,feet that race to do wrong,19 a false witness who pours out lies,a person who sows discord in a family. Proverbs 6:16-19

Need To See Evil Up Close…

Sometimes we need to see evil up close in order to understand God’s judgement and righteousness more thoroughly.

22 Yet there will be survivors, and they will come here to join you as exiles in Babylon. You will see with your own eyes how wicked they are, and then you will feel better about what I have done to Jerusalem. 23 When you meet them and see their behavior, you will understand that these things are not being done to Israel without cause. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 14:22-23

Adhere To The Bible’s Instruction…

Oh, how I wish politicians would read, listen, and adhere to the Bible’s instruction. Here we read of God warning to false women prophets. He asks them if what they do is worth it. Is it not the same for politicians? They want your vote so they’ll promise anything. Their corruption blinds them to their own destruction, thinking they are immune to their deceptive practices. Their lies hurt honest people and help dishonest ones. They discourage righteous people, and encourage the wicked promising them life, while they continue in their sin. Does any of this sound familiar? Human behavior doesn’t change. There’s only so many behaviors possible that they repeat themselves after the cycle returns back around. God addresses this in His word. If only people asked God to discern truth, maybe the world would be a different place. Heaven looks no greater than to one who knows God and serves Him as Lord.

17 “Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations. 18 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits you women who are ensnaring the souls of My people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils. Do you think you can trap others without bringing destruction on yourselves? 19 You bring shame on Me among My people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to My people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.20 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare My people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting My people free like birds set free from a cage. 21 I will tear off the magic veils and save My people from your grasp. They will no longer be your victims. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. 23 Because of all this, you will no longer talk of seeing visions that you never saw, nor will you make predictions. For I will rescue My people from your grasp. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 13:17-23

It’s God’s Name We Tarnish….

We hear all the time, “don’t judge”, but is that really true? We are not the ultimate Judge (God), but we are to use His standards. If someone isn’t a believer, we can still hold them to the 10 commandments, for it applies to everyone. But we are not to expect from them to listen and do them. However, if someone claims to be a believer and doesn’t act in a biblical manner, we have every right to hold them accountable. The whole “don’t judge” thing is biblical. If we are willing to use God’s standards applied to ourselves, then we are to apply it to other believers and pretenders as well. Why is it important? Because it’s God’s name we tarnish with our bad behavior. We are all created in the image of God, so regardless of what we believe, when we act badly, we give the world a sour taste. If we allow others to paint a false picture of God without confronting them, then we are contributing to the problem. We just have to use discretion when we “call out” one’s contradictory behavior. When people behave in a manner or support a behavior that contradicts God’s character, believers have a duty to confront, call out, and convict the offender’s behavior. That’s biblical. And to the simplest form, people see warnings as judgements. God’s judgement is coming regardless if you’ve been warned or judged at all. Just do me a favor, pray first, and ask God to guide your spirit in the process. We wouldn’t be in modern day America if Christians put this concept into practice. Those that claim to be Christians, yet act in a way contradictory to God’s character need to be confronted. A little yeast goes a long way in permeating the entire loaf. And so it is our duty to call out people claiming to be Christians, yet act unchristian, but we must do it with grace and respect. “Don’t judge”, needs to be a phrase not acceptable in a real Christian’s life. A real Christian knows what real judgement is, because it comes to those who ignore or rebel against God. We don’t want that for anyone, especially if they call themselves a Christian.

1 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the false prophets of Israel who are inventing their own prophecies. Say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord. 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: What sorrow awaits the false prophets who are following their own imaginations and have seen nothing at all!’4 “O people of Israel, these prophets of yours are like jackals digging in the ruins. 5 They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the Lord. 6 Instead, they have told lies and made false predictions. They say, ‘This message is from the Lord,’ even though the Lord never sent them. And yet they expect Him to fulfill their prophecies! 7 Can your visions be anything but false if you claim, ‘This message is from the Lord,’ when I have not even spoken to you?8 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because what you say is false and your visions are a lie, I will stand against you, says the Sovereign Lord. 9 I will raise My fist against all the prophets who see false visions and make lying predictions, and they will be banished from the community of Israel. I will blot their names from Israel’s record books, and they will never again set foot in their own land. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.10 “This will happen because these evil prophets deceive My people by saying, ‘All is peaceful’ when there is no peace at all! It’s as if the people have built a flimsy wall, and these prophets are trying to reinforce it by covering it with whitewash! 11 Tell these whitewashers that their wall will soon fall down. A heavy rainstorm will undermine it; great hailstones and mighty winds will knock it down. 12 And when the wall falls, the people will cry out, ‘What happened to your whitewash?’13 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will sweep away your whitewashed wall with a storm of indignation, with a great flood of anger, and with hailstones of fury. 14 I will break down your wall right to its foundation, and when it falls, it will crush you. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 15 At last My anger against the wall and those who covered it with whitewash will be satisfied. Then I will say to you: ‘The wall and those who whitewashed it are both gone. 16 They were lying prophets who claimed peace would come to Jerusalem when there was no peace. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!’ Ezekiel 13:1-16

Regardless Of What People Say…

Any time we see evil go unpunished remember evil people are prisoners in their own body. Regardless of what people say, the conscience does exactly what it’s supposed to do, even if we don’t see it. People will always try to suppress it, medicate it, intoxicate it, or harden it, all to flee from its message; all to no avail. When we do wrong, wrong follows. God is just, He knows exactly what He’s doing. He allows evil in order to rescue those who respond to His call. He allows the wheat and the tares to grow together. He allows the sheep to graze with the goats. If He didn’t, we wouldn’t be here. One day, He will separate. Until then, know He’s got things under control. Evil can never be comfortable, regardless if we see this truth or not. God will never allow it.

17 A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! 18 The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed. Proverbs 28:17-18

The Great Exchange…

The great exchange happens when a person gives his heart to Jesus. This transformation is instantaneous, even though it may take a while to regain all of its sensitivity. When a person answers God’s call, a heart transplant takes place. This new heart gives us back the power to overcome the power of sin, the sensitivity to God’s voice, the honesty with ourselves to accept truth, and the willingness to listen and obey Him. What more could you ask for? The great exchange, too wonderful for words.

18 “When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. 19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, 20 so they will obey My decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be My people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Ezekiel 11:18-21

The Antidote To Our Poison…

Never forget God is our hope, our refuge, and our sanctuary. He is not just a Spiritual Being. He is the Source of life with all the answers, comfort, peace, forgiveness, mercy, grace, salvation, and hope we could ever want or need. He is the solution to our problems, the antidote to our poison, the calm during the storm, the medicine for our sickness, and the peace in our war. Until we see God as the most important Person in our life, we will never grasp this scripture verse. It’s true, regardless if we see it or not. Ask Him to help you draw closer to Him today. Only then will God become your sanctuary in your time of exile. He will bring us home if we ask, for He is our Home. You can count on that.

16 “Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile. 17 I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.’ Ezekiel 11:16-17