Turn From Thier Ways

Good Morning,

Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV)
Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'

This verse of Scripture should fill us with the desire to go out and make changes in this wicked world so that God could take pleasure in the fact that at least some will "turn from their ways and live."

Of course, that would mean that we would have to actually DO some things, wouldn't it? I mean, what would make anyone...let alone the world...change if they didn't see where change would be beneficial to their lives? To take a bit from yesterday's message, we, Christians, have to actually be doing things that would show people it's worth their time and effort to make changes in their lives, don't you think? Now, if I'm reading today's verse correctly that would mean God wants people to live and that He really doesn't take any pleasure in the fact that they might die. I'm sure we agree on that as it's pretty plain. As I said, however, any change takes some kinds of actions. And, those actions have to start somewhere. Obviously, the actions we talk about necessarily be with us...you and me.

Do I show the world that being a Christian and believing in God and His works is a life worth living? Are my actions as I go about my normal, daily activities those that set me apart from those in and of the world? Do my words cause people to wonder about what it is that I have in my life and, perhaps, they might desire in theirs? Am I, in other words, really living my Christianity in such a way that would elicit questions about how I live and what I believe? Is my life one that people might want to emulate so they might have what I have?

How we answer those questions about ourselves can be the difference of being the example God wants us to be, and that people would want to follow, from just being much like everyone else and that people see no reason for change.

The only way that the wicked will turn from their ways is that they have the desire to do so. The only way, as seems clear to me, that people will have that desire is that they see an alternative that is better for them. The only way that they will see that "alternative life style," that is the Christian life style, is if we show it to them. Yes, WE are really live the "alternative life style" when it comes to the rest of the world...at least it SHOULD be.

Something to think about today as we go about our work, school, shopping, or any other activity. What are we showing the word?

Love, peace, and blessings,

David