Ezekiel 18:30-32

God is gracious and kind. He wants no one to perish but all to share eternal life with Him. In Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit we can be changed.  Precept by precept He works in our life so that we can reflect the image of His only begotten Son to a dying world.

God has provided the way, our part is to accept salvation and allow Him to change our life!!

The voice of Grace tells us that we are more than our labels.

I love the Gospel story about the Samaritan woman at the well. Long story short, here is a woman who carries a myriad of labels--she is a member of the wrong group, she is "less-than," undesirable, a social outcast (not to mention she'd been married several times). And Jesus offers her everlasting water no questions asked. 

My take on his words to her: "You've lived on scarcity—labels that limit you—and I offer you sufficiency, in water that will never leave you thirsty again.”

I love preaching from this text. Which, of course means, that I’m preaching in order to remind myself to believe it (internalize it). To hear it, for myself. Just sayin’. SabbathMoments 

Ezekiel 18:30-32

30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” The New King James Version

In this passage, Ezekiel further clarifies his teaching on individual responsibility for sin by answering certain questions that reflect what his audience might be thinking in response to his previous message. God’s response to their questions through Ezekiel is in part also composed of questions. 

Live and die refer to physical death and not eternal death, since this passage relates to the standards and stipulations of the Mosaic covenant. Everyone is judged equitably and individually. God never enjoys condemning a person, but is just and righteous in dispensing His judgments. The NKJV Study Bible

The Lord will judge each of the Israelites according to his ways. On this is grounded an exhortation to repent, and to make them a new heart and a new spirit. God does not command what cannot be done, but admonishes us to do what is in our power, and to pray for what is not. Ordinances and means are appointed, directions and promises are given, that those who desire this change may seek it from God.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Jeremiah 32:39 then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.

Ezekiel 33:20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the LORD is not fair.’ O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways.”

Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.