And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do His pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. (Ezra 10:10-12)
Ezra, having prayed and received an answer from God, confronted the erring priests with their sin. He called for personal and national repentance and response to restore the holiness of the land and the people. The people responded to Ezra in repentance and sought the reconciliation and restoration of their standing with God. He listed those who had erred that they might be held accountable to the Law and Word of God who is Holy and righteous.
Ezra knew that God had commanded holiness and separation, and that the priests and people were not obedient. He sought the blessing of the Lord by calling out those who had sinned and exhorting them to repent. He knew that those who would not turn from their sin must be separated from the community because their sin was polluting the camp. He also knew that though it would mean distancing themselves from those who were not of the congregation, strangers would corrupt the holiness which was commanded, especially of the priests.
God cannot bless those who sin nor will He continue to protect His people who are not in obedience to His Word. When confronted with sin personally or as a congregation we must repent and seek restitution and reconciliation. Those who will not turn from public or egregious sin must be separated and disciplined, not to harm them or in hatred of any people, but because their sin pollutes the people. Any sin which is known, but especially that which harms the church must be dealt with. God gave us instructions in how to properly encourage and exhort those who are in sin to repent and be reconciled to God. When we follow His precepts and principles people who repent are restored to God and to the congregation and God is glorified when His people walk in Truth.
Though it may mean separating from those who do not repent and turn from their sin, God calls His people holiness as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Ezra knew that God had commanded holiness and separation, and that the priests and people were not obedient. He sought the blessing of the Lord by calling out those who had sinned and exhorting them to repent. He knew that those who would not turn from their sin must be separated from the community because their sin was polluting the camp. He also knew that though it would mean distancing themselves from those who were not of the congregation, strangers would corrupt the holiness which was commanded, especially of the priests.
God cannot bless those who sin nor will He continue to protect His people who are not in obedience to His Word. When confronted with sin personally or as a congregation we must repent and seek restitution and reconciliation. Those who will not turn from public or egregious sin must be separated and disciplined, not to harm them or in hatred of any people, but because their sin pollutes the people. Any sin which is known, but especially that which harms the church must be dealt with. God gave us instructions in how to properly encourage and exhort those who are in sin to repent and be reconciled to God. When we follow His precepts and principles people who repent are restored to God and to the congregation and God is glorified when His people walk in Truth.
Though it may mean separating from those who do not repent and turn from their sin, God calls His people holiness as we minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as GOD provides, with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that others may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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