RTW August 21
The Life I Want
You say, “We want to be like the nations all around us, who serve idols and wood and stone.”
Ezekiel 20:32a
My Takeaways
Something Old
This never gets old:
There I gave them my decrees and regulations so they could find life by keeping them. (Ezekiel 20:11)
Obedience brings life.
Something New
Who do I want to be like?
The Sunday School answer… Jesus…
But Jesus was
- Poor
- Homeless
- Jobless
- Rejected
- Mocked
- Murdered
Jesus lived sacrificially, not selfishly.
When we imitate Christ, we:
- have a spirit of poverty
- hold loosely to what’s precious to us
- are humble and gentle
- hunger for God
- care for others
- put God’s truth inside our heart
- strive for peace
- suffer for the cause of God
(Matthew 5:7-12 – The Beatitudes)
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (NIV) Psalm 103:1-5
Something to Do
Imitate Jesus, and reap my benefits.
Such a great lesson this morning, Wendy. Thank you. Lots to ponder and pray over … I so want to live sacrificially … and yet I keep returning to selfishness. Lord, conform me more and more into your image.
I loved the two verses that talked about obedience giving life (20:13, 21) and the reminder that following the ways of the world would bring death – or at the very least not lead to life (20:25). Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)
20:40 – For on my holy mountain, the great mountain of Israel, says the Sovereign LORD, the people of Israel will someday worship me and I will accept them. In this entire section (vv 39-44) I can feel the Lord’s longing for His people – to turn back to Him.
21:6,7: Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart…tell them “I groan because of the terrible news I have heard” Ouch – Do I groan before the people? Or do I shrink back, afraid that I won’t be liked or accepted fear of rejection? Does my heart break and hurt for the lost? Apparently not since I don’t share the Gospel as I should. Lord, help me. Give me courage.