September 4, 2010 God Is Serious About Sin
Today’s Bible Reading: Ezekiel 22; Ezekiel 23; Ezekiel 24; Revelation 9 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
Ezekiel 22:22
I’ll blow on you with the fire of my wrath to melt you down in the furnace. As silver is melted down, you’ll be melted down. That should get through to you. Then you’ll recognize that I, God, have let my wrath loose on you.
Revelation 9:20–21
The remaining men and women who weren’t killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn’t change their way of life, didn’t quit worshiping demons, didn’t quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn’t see or hear or move. There wasn’t a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways.
Observation:
The Old and New Testaments say the same thing: God is fed up with sin, and he promises to judge it, but even so, the prophets predict that people will go right on sinning.
Application:
Most people, myself included, like to focus on God’s love and mercy and grace—and that is certainly true of God. But over and over throughout the Scriptures, we are told that God will judge sin, if we do not repent.
I must remember that God hates sin and will judge it eventually, and I must remember to give the whole message to others when sharing the gospel. Yes, God is loving and has provided a way to forgive and forget our sins, but if we reject his offer of grace, all we have left to expect is judgment.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you for your grace. I can never measure up to your holy standards, but you have provided a way through Jesus for me to escape your sure and coming judgment.
Scripture Focus:
I’ll blow on you with the fire of my wrath to melt you down in the furnace. As silver is melted down, you’ll be melted down. That should get through to you. Then you’ll recognize that I, God, have let my wrath loose on you.
The remaining men and women who weren’t killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn’t change their way of life, didn’t quit worshiping demons, didn’t quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn’t see or hear or move. There wasn’t a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways.
