I am reading through Ezekiel, which is not always easy going. In fact I've come to chapters 40 - 48 through which I will once again read very quickly. But before I leave Ezekiel, I note how God wants Israel and the nations to recognize and know that He is God. And more than that, to recognize that He is a Holy God.
"And so I will show my greatness and my holiness" (38:23); "I will make known my Holy Name --- and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel." (39:7) The true God, our God, is so different from gods created by humans to replace Him.
The nations surrounding Israel didn't know much about a righteous, holy deity. Their gods and goddesses were unpredictable, sometimes bloodthirsty, encourage sexual immorality, etc.
As a believer, what motivates you - and me - to live holy, righteous, pure lives? I think there are a number of valid motivations. But surely one is this: God wants people to know that He is righteous and holy. One strong pointer to God's character is found in people who reflect, who mirror His character. So I am called to grow in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I am called to be "perfect, complete or holy" as God is holy. I am to show people what God is like by who I am and how I live.
Something of God's love must be seen in the lives of those who follow Jesus. Added to this, in a world of dishonesty and mistrust; a world of theft and cheating; the righteousness and purity of God should be reflected in the lives of Christians. As people see in us a combination of righteous character coupled with genuine love they will be pointed to the Holy Loving God we worship. The kind of God that many people would like to know and worship with us.
"And so I will show my greatness and my holiness" (38:23); "I will make known my Holy Name --- and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel." (39:7) The true God, our God, is so different from gods created by humans to replace Him.
The nations surrounding Israel didn't know much about a righteous, holy deity. Their gods and goddesses were unpredictable, sometimes bloodthirsty, encourage sexual immorality, etc.
As a believer, what motivates you - and me - to live holy, righteous, pure lives? I think there are a number of valid motivations. But surely one is this: God wants people to know that He is righteous and holy. One strong pointer to God's character is found in people who reflect, who mirror His character. So I am called to grow in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I am called to be "perfect, complete or holy" as God is holy. I am to show people what God is like by who I am and how I live.
Something of God's love must be seen in the lives of those who follow Jesus. Added to this, in a world of dishonesty and mistrust; a world of theft and cheating; the righteousness and purity of God should be reflected in the lives of Christians. As people see in us a combination of righteous character coupled with genuine love they will be pointed to the Holy Loving God we worship. The kind of God that many people would like to know and worship with us.
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