Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die.
The first thought I had was about a person who loved God and lived a life of service. Something happened along the way and he turned to his evil ways by sinning. What this scripture is saying is that nothing he's done in the past counts, absolutely nothing. All the good deeds and sacrifices mean nothing; how can this be? Then I come back to God's word when He says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). Everything we have in this world, most especially eternity, is a gift from God and must be appreciated as such. Nothing is ever deserved other than death.
Every time I think about what's fair I'm quickly reminded that fair, in the world's sense, means what I deserve. It's selfish in nature but we constantly convince ourselves that life is about being fair. Was it fair that Jesus had to die on the cross for sins He never committed? Is it fair that a convicted killer is able to live a life full of destruction only to be welcomed into God's kingdom with those who lived lives full of good deeds? Life isn't ever about being fair, it's about living according to our callings in this world. We need to forget about doing things to receive our portion compared to the next person. We need to be obedient to Him and only Him. Yes, I definitely know this is difficult and a struggle but we need to focus on the goal and not the distractions around us.
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with a place in heaven. That really is all I should be focused on but I don't. I look around me and think that the temporary is just as important as the eternal. LORD, I pray to be released of this stronghold and desire to have blinders fastened securely to the temptations of the devil. No, I pray not to have blinders but that I can resist through the power of the Holy Spirit to recognize the attack and use it for Your glory! I invite You into my day, my decisions, my heart... I love You Father God. In the matchless name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!
Ezekiel 18:23-24
The first thought I had was about a person who loved God and lived a life of service. Something happened along the way and he turned to his evil ways by sinning. What this scripture is saying is that nothing he's done in the past counts, absolutely nothing. All the good deeds and sacrifices mean nothing; how can this be? Then I come back to God's word when He says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). Everything we have in this world, most especially eternity, is a gift from God and must be appreciated as such. Nothing is ever deserved other than death.
Every time I think about what's fair I'm quickly reminded that fair, in the world's sense, means what I deserve. It's selfish in nature but we constantly convince ourselves that life is about being fair. Was it fair that Jesus had to die on the cross for sins He never committed? Is it fair that a convicted killer is able to live a life full of destruction only to be welcomed into God's kingdom with those who lived lives full of good deeds? Life isn't ever about being fair, it's about living according to our callings in this world. We need to forget about doing things to receive our portion compared to the next person. We need to be obedient to Him and only Him. Yes, I definitely know this is difficult and a struggle but we need to focus on the goal and not the distractions around us.
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing me with a place in heaven. That really is all I should be focused on but I don't. I look around me and think that the temporary is just as important as the eternal. LORD, I pray to be released of this stronghold and desire to have blinders fastened securely to the temptations of the devil. No, I pray not to have blinders but that I can resist through the power of the Holy Spirit to recognize the attack and use it for Your glory! I invite You into my day, my decisions, my heart... I love You Father God. In the matchless name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!
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