Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the Word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 3:17-19)
GOD called Ezekiel to tell the people and nation of Israel of their sIn. He was to warn them that they could not continue in rebellion and disobedience to Him and live. If they didn't listen their just punishment was on them, but Ezekiel was free. That did not mean that Ezekiel was somehow responsible for the spiritual well-being of every Israelite. He was responsible for himself, and to tell those that GOD sent him to, if he didn't obey GOD that would be his sIn. If he obeyed GOD, then all those he encountered would be told of their iniquity, rebellion and sIn and would be held accountable for that knowledge.
We in the Church are also commanded to go and tell. We have a Word from GOD, and a command and commission to take that Word to this lost and dying world. It is not an option. But, we are not responsible for everyone, just for those encounters where GOD sends us. As we go, we are to share His good news with others, and the reason the Cross is needed. But, we cannot push for a decision just so we can feel we are justified. We are responsible to GOD to share His love and mercy with those we meet. If they don't listen and respond right away, we have to trust GOD with lost people and leave the results up to Him. Anything else we try to do in the flesh, is sIn.
We also, as the Church of GOD, must rightly divide the Word of Truth and understand this passage as it related to Ezekiel, is not exacted on the Church, just as it was not given to all the prophets, or the believing Jews. It was given to Ezekiel as a specific command. That doesn't mean we can ignore lost people, and unbelievers for we have our own commands from Jesus to go, but we can rest assured that their souls are in both GOD's hands and in their own.
If you are one of those that does not yet know Jesus Christ this may seem a little strange to you. Without the new birth that GOD commanded, and the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide you into all Truth, the Word of GOD doesn't make sense. But if He has been speaking to you from His Word, and you have begun to realize your guilt because of sIn, let me assure you that GOD is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the Truth. The Truth that Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He invites you to receive by Faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary, a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. He calls you to surrender to Him on His terms and believe His Word for Salvation today.
If you are one of His, be an obedient child and go and share the Gospel with those you meet.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
We in the Church are also commanded to go and tell. We have a Word from GOD, and a command and commission to take that Word to this lost and dying world. It is not an option. But, we are not responsible for everyone, just for those encounters where GOD sends us. As we go, we are to share His good news with others, and the reason the Cross is needed. But, we cannot push for a decision just so we can feel we are justified. We are responsible to GOD to share His love and mercy with those we meet. If they don't listen and respond right away, we have to trust GOD with lost people and leave the results up to Him. Anything else we try to do in the flesh, is sIn.
We also, as the Church of GOD, must rightly divide the Word of Truth and understand this passage as it related to Ezekiel, is not exacted on the Church, just as it was not given to all the prophets, or the believing Jews. It was given to Ezekiel as a specific command. That doesn't mean we can ignore lost people, and unbelievers for we have our own commands from Jesus to go, but we can rest assured that their souls are in both GOD's hands and in their own.
If you are one of those that does not yet know Jesus Christ this may seem a little strange to you. Without the new birth that GOD commanded, and the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide you into all Truth, the Word of GOD doesn't make sense. But if He has been speaking to you from His Word, and you have begun to realize your guilt because of sIn, let me assure you that GOD is not willing that any should perish, but wants you to come to the knowledge of the Truth. The Truth that Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. He invites you to receive by Faith in His finished work on the Cross of Calvary, a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. He calls you to surrender to Him on His terms and believe His Word for Salvation today.
If you are one of His, be an obedient child and go and share the Gospel with those you meet.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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