Ezekiel 17-20

God defines what it means to be a righteous person in Ezekiel 17-20.  To put it simply, a righteous person is one who follows God.

And as we know as we live in this world, following God is so much easier said than done.  Following God isn't as black and white as it is in writing.  

Following God is more than just believing in Jesus.  God tells us what to do in order to be able to follow Him.  He says,

"Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit...

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD.  

Repent and live!"

Ezekiel 18:31-32

God needs us to be honest with ourselves and with Him.  That's our role in our relationship with God.

And in our repentance, God transforms us and blesses us with a "new heart" and a "new spirit."

There's power in repentance, friends.  There's nothing weak about it.  As we humble ourselves before God, we experience the "newness" God is talking about in today's reading.

I started thinking about that "newness" God promises us again and again in the Bible, and we see it come to life in Christ.

How does this "newness" translate to our lives?  How do we know if we have a "new heart" and a "new spirit'?  

What do you think?

I think the "newness" we experience here and now is a personal and certain connection to God that we can feel deep in our souls.  Through this connection, God empowers us to be more and more like Christ, taking us way beyond our own limits and abilities.  

Words really don't do the new life we find in Christ justice.

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for the new life You give us in Christ.  Thank You for the new heart and new spirit that comes from Your transforming love for us.

Forgive my offensive ways and choices.

I humbly come before You today, LORD, and repent.  Forgive me, LORD,  and empower me to follow You in all that I do. 

[Spend some time confessing your sins to God.]

I pray that You will pour out your blessings and peace upon _____________________ today.

Help me to do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

In Christ's love,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.