Text: Ezekiel 18:25
As the Lord delivered a message through the prophet Ezekiel, He gave a message that the people did not like. They said, “The way of the Lord is not right.” Often when people disagree with the Lord, they will not be as blunt in expressing their objection – this is especially true with religious people. Yet the unspoken rejection is often there.
The Way of the Lord Is Always Right
- Whenever God speaks, He speaks the truth (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) – when we read the word He has given us (the Bible), every word of it is true (Psalm 119:160)
- When we disagree with God, we are always wrong (Romans 3:4; Job 40:1-5) – yet this is so often forgotten
- God’s word is rejected for various reasons – traditions (Matthew 15:3-9), long-held beliefs (James 1:19-21), experience (2 Peter 3:3-7), or simply wanting to do what we want to do (Colossians 2:23)
Why They Disagreed with the Lord
- He opposed their wisdom (Ezekiel 18:2-3) – God’s wisdom is superior (1 Corinthians 1:21, 25); no hope for a man who is wise in his own eyes (Proverbs 26:12)
- He declared that individuals were accountable to Him (Ezekiel 18:4, 20) – each one of us will be judged for what we have done (2 Corinthians 5:10)
- He refused to let them blame others for their sins (Ezekiel 18:19) – we cannot pass blame for our sins onto others (Genesis 3:11-13); we sin when we choose to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- He called the wicked to repent (Ezekiel 18:21-23) – anyone can change (1 Timothy 1:13-15); God wants all to change in order to follow Him (2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30-31)
- He warned the righteous not to fall away (Ezekiel 18:24) – anyone who is saved can be lost (1 Corinthians 9:27); if we “shrink back” we will be lost (Hebrews 10:36-39)
The Lord’s Invitation to Them
- As we customarily do when we present a message from the Scriptures, we offer an invitation – the Lord did the same thing in this chapter
- “I will judge you” (Ezekiel 18:30) – they needed to prepare for this day
- “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions” (Ezekiel 18:30-31) – this was how they would prepare
- “Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:31) – change had to come from within; not merely external
- “I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies” (Ezekiel 18:32) – God wants all to be saved
- “Repent and live” (Ezekiel 18:32) – there are conditions to salvation
Conclusion
- The invitation given to Israel is much like the one we offer today – prepare for judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10-11); repent and turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5); become a new man in Christ (Colossians 3:9-11; Romans 6:3-6, 17); God wants all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9); we must turn to Him on His terms (Hebrews 5:9)
- This invitation is open – do not reject it by thinking that “the way of the Lord is not right“
- “Is it not your ways that are not right?” – instead of rejecting God’s word, make your life right with Him
