God’s Unconditional, Non-permissive Love

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 16:1-14

 

Ezekiel 16:8

“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread ^[d]My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God.

(NKJV)

 

In the previous chapter of Ezekiel, God compared Jerusalem to an outcast vine whose only use was wood for a fire (Ezekiel 15). However, in this text, God seems to change direction with the text poetically expressing God’s love towards Jerusalem (Ezekiel 16:8). This is not a contradiction in scripture, nor does it indicate a change in God. Instead, this indicates that while God’s love is unconditional, God still abhors sin with sin having consequences. God’s love is unconditional but also non-permissive.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord, instructing him to make Jerusalem aware of their abominations (Ezekiel l6:1-2). Ezekiel 16:3-5 is a reference to Jerusalem before its conquest by David (2 Samuel 5:6-16). The picture of a baby born without severing the umbilical cord refers to the practice in Canaan of leaving unwanted babies in the desert to die. Just like there was no one to pity Jerusalem during this time, there was no one pitying Israel during this time either.

 

In this pitiful state, The Lord passes by and tells Jerusalem to live, making them thrive like a maturing and growing plant in the field (Ezekiel 16:6-7). When the Lord passed by Jerusalem again, he realized that Jerusalem was in a time of love, so God spread his protective wings over them in protection. God also entered into a covenant with Jerusalem with Jerusalem becoming His (Ezekiel 16:8).

 

Instead of Jerusalem being left unwashed and unclothed, the Lord washed off their blood, anointed them with oil, and clothed them with fine clothes and sandals (Ezekiel 16:9-10). God also adorned Jerusalem with fine ornaments, bracelets, a chain on her neck, a jewel in her nose, earrings, and a beautiful crown on her head (Ezekiel 16:11-12). God adorned Jerusalem like a groom would adorn his bride, supplying her with fine food, making her exceedingly beautiful, and raising her to royalty (Ezekiel 16:13). Jerusalem’s beauty made her famous among the nations for it was a beauty bestowed upon her by the Lord (Ezekiel 16:14).

 

After comparing Jerusalem to a useless vine (Ezekiel 15:1-8), the Lord poetically expresses His love for Jerusalem. An unconditional but not permissive love. God instructs Ezekiel to let Jerusalem know their abominations so they would understand where they were spiritually and their need for the grace of God (Ezekiel 16:2). The Lord then alludes to Jerusalem’s pre-Israelite history when they were the Canaanite outpost of Jebus. After David's conquest of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-16), Jerusalem went from being a Canaanite outpost to the city of God (Psalm 46:4). However, Jerusalem turned its back on God, worshipping the gods of the Canaanites God threw out of the land (2 Chronicles 24:7). The consequence of this sin will be seventy years of exile (2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah 25:11). God did not like what the people of Jerusalem did, but He still loved them.

 

The love and grace of God is unconditional but not permissive meaning there are consequences for disobedience with God still loving his children. Let The Church learn a lesson from Jerusalem and the nation of Israel and not abuse the love and grace of God through disobedience but instead experience transformation through the renewing of our minds with the Word of God (Romans 12:1-2). The Church cannot compromise one inch or centimeter with the sin of this world but must courageously take a stand against it.

 

The Church is the Bride of Christ and Jesus’ love for the Church is unconditional and eternal. However, sin grieves the heart of God, causing him to not like what the Church does while still loving His bride. A great example of this is Peter who walked with Jesus and yet denied him in His time of greatest need (Matthew 26:69-75). I am sure Jesus did not like what Peter did yet His love for Peter was so great he forgave Peter (John 21:15-19), making him the leader of the early Church and its first evangelist (Acts 2:14-47)

 

The first act of obedience to God is to ask for forgiveness of sins and to confess your belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have not done this, I invite you to pray with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Truth, Victory, Faith

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Corinthians 4:1-18

 

1 Corinthians 4:17-18

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(NKJV)

 

The news of events occurring in the world today is full of lies, defeat, and fear. In this text, the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians to be people of truth, victory, and faith. While Paul wrote these words to the Church in Corinth, they have application to the Church of today living in turbulent times.

 

The text begins by reminding the Corinthians that the ministry of Paul was received in mercy so Paul and those with him did not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:1). Paul presents the Gospel as a manifestation of truth with nothing hidden and no deception (2 Corinthians 4:2). The only veiling in Paul’s presentation of the Gospel is a veil over the minds of those that are perishing since their minds are blinded by the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The manifestation of truth in Paul’s presentation of the Gospel is the manifestation of Jesus and not Paul or those with him (2 Corinthians 4:5). God who commanded light to shine has given Paul the light of Jesus Christ in his heart and what he shares when presenting the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:6).

 

The treasure of the Gospel present in each believer is in earthen vessels of flesh so that its power is of God and not man (2 Corinthians 4:7). Oppression, perplexity, and persecution cannot stop the presentation of the Gospel when it is presented in the power of God (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Believers in Christ as Savior carry the dying of the Lord Jesus in their bodies, forgiving them of sin and the victory of the resurrection of Christ providing eternal life (2 Corinthians 4:10-11). The struggles of Paul and those accompanying him indicate death working in them that brings life to the Corinthians through the presentation of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:12).

 

Paul, those accompanying him, and the Corinthians have the same spirit of faith speaking what they believe (2 Corinthians 4:13). This spirit of faith also knows that He who raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead will cause those having faith in Jesus as Savior to also experience resurrection (2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Paul says these things for the sake of the Corinthians that grace may cause thanksgiving for the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:15).

 

Paul’s faith is not in the outward man which is perishing but in the inward man which is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). The afflictions of this life are light and only last for a moment, leading to a more exceeding and eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). Faith is not looking at what one sees, but in what is not seen. Things seen are temporary with things unseen eternal because they are the result of faith (2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 11:1).

 

Paul did not want the afflictions he and others experienced in this world to separate the Corinthians from the truth, victory, and faith we have in Jesus.

1)      Truth (2 Corinthians 4:1-6) – Those choosing to place their belief in Jesus as Savior are entrusted with the greatest truth in existence, becoming ministers of the Gospel to a lost world (2 Corinthians 3:16). While this truth is foolishness to a world dominated by Satan, it remains the only truth that can save one from eternal separation from God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

2)      Victory (2 Corinthians 4:7-15) – On earth, the treasure of the Gospel is stored in our fleshly, corruptible bodies, knowing that our corruptible bodies will put on incorruptible bodies like the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). We have within us as believers the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11) giving us victory to declare that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

3)      Faith (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) – While the body of the flesh grows older and with age perishes, in Christ the inward man loses conformity to the world and experiences transformation through the renewal of a mind no longer focused on the flesh but on God (Romans 12:1-2). This is a faith not focused on the circumstances of life one sees but an eternal unseen hope of eternity with the Lord (Hebrews 11:1). It is this faith founded on truth that brings victory to one placing their faith in Christ.

 

The words of Paul to the Corinthians remain true for the Church today which must not allow the afflictions of this world to separate it from the truth of the word of God, the victory we have in Christ, and our faith in Christ. While this statement seems elementary in our theology, evidence in many churches today demonstrates how easily Satan can deceive churches into adopting false theology. The decline in Church attendance after the COVID lockdowns has tempted many churches into accepting gay marriage as normal, sex reassignment surgery, and even abortion as acceptable surgical procedures. This deception of Satan causes the leadership in these churches to believe this will boost attendance and contributions. Eventually, this will lead to drifting away from the truth of God’s word which speaks against these practices (Deuteronomy 23:1; Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13; Romans 1:26-27). The Church of Jesus Christ must remain true to the truth of God’s Word for it is the truth with those placing their faith in it that brings victory in one’s life (John 10:10, 16:33).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus your Savior, I invite you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Jerusalem a Useless Vine

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 15:1-8

 

Ezekiel 15:6

Therefore thus says the Lord God: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

(ESV)

 

In Jesus’ last words, He gave the Church a mission to spread the Gospel or evangelize people (Mark 16:15), and to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). There are four E’s to follow in discipling people, evangelizing, equipping, encouraging, and empowering by the Holy Spirit. However, if the Church becomes self-absorbed with its wealth believing they needed nothing, including God it cannot carry out its mission (Revelation 3:14-22). The Church must return to its mission from God or risk becoming a useless vine like Jerusalem before the exile.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord that is directed to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 15:1,6). The word begins with the Lord asking how the wood of the vine can be better than any other wood among the trees of the forest (Ezekiel 15:2). The Lord continues by asking if anything is made of its wood or if the wood is strong enough to hang a vessel on it (Ezekiel 15:3). The answer to these questions is no with the wood of the vine only good as fuel for the fire where it is consumed (Ezekiel 15:4). Even when the vine is whole, the wood is useless for making anything and even more useless once it is consumed by a fire and burned (Ezekiel 15:5).

 

The Lord then says that the inhabitants of Jerusalem are like the wood of the vine which the Lord has given as fuel for the fire (Ezekiel 15:6). The Lord has set His face against the inhabitants of Jerusalem with them coming out of one fire but going into another fire due to not heeding the warnings of the prophets sent to them (Ezekiel 15:7). Therefore, God will make the land desolate due to their persistent unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 15:8).

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord that visually illustrates the spiritual condition of the Nation of Israel. Vineyards are common in the land of Israel, so the Lord chooses the image of a dried piece of wood from a vine that is only useful as fuel for a fire (Ezekiel 15:4). By comparing Israel to a dried-up piece of wood from a vine, the Lord is telling the people the only purpose they have is fuel for the fire of the wrath of God because of their acting faithlessly. However, the fire of the wrath of God will not result in their destruction but be for their good, bringing them to repentance after seventy years of exile (Jeremiah 29:10-11). The useless vine receives complete restoration when grafted into the living vine of Jesus Christ (Romans 11:23).

 

A Church drifting away from the word of God can also become as useless as the wood of the vine and consumed by the evil of this world. This drifting away can lead to liberalism or free grace, a belief that salvation comes to all humanity by the grace of God so there is no need to mention sin for God’s grace covers it all. This belief sounds good to itching ears but goes against Romans 10:9-10 that tells us salvation requires one confessing belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the grace of God leading to salvation is free to all, one must confess belief in Jesus as his or her Savior to accept the gift of grace.

 

Drifting away from the word of God can also lead to legalism or the belief salvation is based on our works of obedience to the commandments of God. While this appears to be strict adherence to the word of God, it ignores the grace of God bringing salvation and not our works of righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-9). The elder son in the parable of the prodigal son had pride over his obedience to all his father commanded him to do and missed out on the demonstration of the grace and mercy of his father extended to his brother (Luke 15:28-32).

 

The church has a calling to spread the message of the Gospel, evangelizing and pointing people to the cross where Jesus’ blood was shed for the salvation of sins (Mark 16:15; Romans 3:23, 5:8). However, the mission of the Church does not stop there with the Church also called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). This is a process of equipping believers with knowledge of the Bible (Ephesians 4:11-12), the word of God, and encouraging believers when the world challenges their belief, or they experience temptation (Hebrews 3:12-13). The Church must also empower disciples by teaching them the need to have the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Acts 1:8).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for the forgiveness of your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I encourage you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Ministers of the New Covenant

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,^[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.^[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

(ESV)

 

Jesus gave the Church a clear mission, to spread the good news (gospel) of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity and to make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), by the grace of God and not one’s efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9). Unfortunately, many churches have gone to the two extremes of liberalism and legalism in attempting to conduct this mission. In this text, Paul speaks of being ministers of the new covenant which brings balance to these two extremes.

 

Paul begins the text by asking the Corinthians if he is beginning to commend himself again or seeking letters of recommendation from them (2 Corinthians 3:1). The answer is no for the Corinthians are themselves a letter of recommendation written on human hearts and not with ink (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). Paul’s confidence is not from boasting in his abilities but sufficiency coming from God through a new covenant, not of the letter which kills but of the Spirit giving eternal life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).

 

Not to diminish the covenant of the law which came with glory because the Israelites could not look upon the face of Moses (2 Corinthians 3:7). However, the New Covenant has even greater glory for its glory is not one of condemnation but of righteousness for Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (2 Corinthians 3:8-9; John 3:17). The temporary glory of the covenant of the law is now surpassed by with the permanent glory of righteousness in Christ which is permanent (2 Corinthians 3:10-11).

 

The boldness of Paul comes from the glory of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:12). However, instead of Paul putting a veil over his face to hide the glory as Moses did, the Israelites have a veil over their faces, a veil that can only be lifted through Christ (2 Corinthians 3:13-16). The Lord is the Spirit of the New Covenant and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). With unveiled face, we now behold the glory of the Lord and transformation, little by little, into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

 

When Moses descended from Mount Sanai, he had two tablets of stone containing the law (Deuteronomy 9:11). However, it did not take long for the people of God to disobey the law with the people making an idol to worship (Deuteronomy 9:12). The old covenant of the law is a conditional covenant, requiring obedience, something impossible for fallen humanity to do. This is not surprising because Adam and Eve who lived in paradise could not even obey one simple rule (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6).

 

Fortunately for fallen humanity, this text speaks of a better covenant that is not conditional on obedience to a set of laws but the grace of God coming by the life-giving Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). While the law came with the glory of God with the people unable to look upon the face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-33), this new and better covenant comes with even greater glory (2 Corinthians 3:7-8). Paul’s appearance of boasting was not boasting in himself but confidence in the hope provided by the covenant the cross, an unconditional covenant providing salvation to all who believe (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10).

 

The calling of the Church is to minister the New Covenant, a permanent covenant of the Spirit of God leading to eternal life. The Church is more than a social club or self-help group designed to make people feel good. The Church is also not a place where one uses God to get what they want. Instead, The Church is the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27) with a mission to share the Gospel so that one can be born again and have eternal life through belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:9-10). The sooner the Church returns to its mission of lifting up Christ (John 3:14-15), the sooner it will become a transformative force in our culture (Acts 17:6).

 

The parable of the prodigal son illustrates the two extremes of the Church (Luke 15:11-32). The younger and rebellious son represents liberal Christianity believing one can continue in sin knowing God’s grace will save them, a belief condemned by the Apostle Paul (Romans 6:1-2). While this son receives most of the focus when studying this parable, the older son represents legalistic Christianity. Legalistic Christianity hangs on to the covenant of the law, believing they can earn their salvation through obedience to the law like the older son, a false belief evidenced by the failures of every person in the Bible except for Jesus Christ. The father in the parable represents the Gospel, extending grace to sinners while encouraging believers to celebrate the return of sinners to God (Luke 15:31-32). If you are reading this post and have never prayed to receive forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I encourage you to pray with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Jerusalem’s Judgment Inescapable

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 14:12-23

 

Ezekiel 14:13-14

“Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply^[a] of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast, ¹⁴ even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.

(ESV)

 

Normal is not coming back Jesus is, a source of great comfort for those placing their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. However, a look at the teaching in many Churches does not support this belief instead of believing the normal of this world does not align with the word of God, they build their congregations on compromise with the world. We must be thankful God has mercy and Grace but as we will see in this text, God’s grace has an expiration date for those who abuse it by continuing to live in sin.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord. The word says that when a land sins against the Lord, acting faithlessly and the Lord stretches out His hand against it with famine, even Noah, Daniel, and Job could not deliver it (Ezekiel 14:12-14). If the land were ravaged by wild beasts so that no one may pass through, even Noah, Daniel, and Job could not deliver it (Ezekiel 14:15-16). Even if the Lord brings a sword on the land cutting off both man and beast from the land, Noah, Daniel, and Job could not deliver it (Ezekiel 14:17-18). Even if the Lord sends pestilence upon the land Noah, Daniel, and Job could not deliver son nor daughter (Ezekiel 14:19-20).

 

Thus says the Lord, how much more will God send sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence upon Jerusalem to cut the city off from man and beast (Ezekiel 14:21). However, there will be some survivors, sons and daughters who will come to Ezekiel, providing consolation for the disaster that has come upon the city (Ezekiel 14:22). The survivor’s consolation to Ezekiel is to show that God has not acted without cause.

 

The abominations of Israel have come to a point where judgment is inevitable. God has sent prophets like Ezekiel (Ezekiel 5:12) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 14:12) who all foretold of sword, famine, and pestilence, as well as the warnings in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. God also told Joshua and Moses that rebellion by the people of God would occur (Deuteronomy 31:14-18). Therefore, one cannot accuse God of lacking mercy and grace for Israel and Judah have been warned by God through these prophets. The problem is not a lack of mercy and grace from God but a lack of obedience and worship of only God by the people of Israel, as commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-3).

 

The Church, like Israel, must remain on its mission to be obedient to Jesus Christ and spread the good news of the Gospel, making disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Unfortunately, false theology and teaching have infiltrated the Church as foretold by Jude and Paul

 

1)      Jude – Spoke of people who had crept into the Church unnoticed perverting the grace of God (Jude 1:4). Their perversion of God’s grace has become sensuality, denying the Lord Jesus Christ. Jude goes on by reminding us of how Jesus saved Israel out of Egypt but later destroyed that generation because of their disobedience, reminding the Church that it is not exempt from a similar judgment from God (Jude 1:6). Even the angels were not exempt from such judgment (Jude 1:7).

2)      Paul – Warned his protégé Timothy of a coming time when the people of God in the Church would seek teachers to suit their own needs instead of teachers teaching the truth of God’s word (2 Timothy 4:3). In many ways, we are in the time Paul spoke of today with much false theology spread over the internet teaching a prosperity Gospel portraying God as someone we can use to receive anything we want. Is this any different than the Church in Laodicea who believed they did not need anything, including God, making God sick (Revelation 3:14-22).

 

We are saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9) but God’s grace is not permission to continue living a life of sin (Romans 6:1-2). The Church needs less preaching of cheap grace that uses God and more repentance and worship of the true God who came to us and died for our sins. I urge everyone reading this to turn to God in repentance and worship and diligently study the Bible, the word of God. If you are reading this and have never prayed for forgiveness from sin, I urge you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Forgiveness and Triumph in Christ

 Triumph in Christ

 

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

 

2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

(ESV)

 

The crucifixion of Jesus provided forgiveness from sin through the shed blood of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead demonstrates triumph and victory over death shared by all placing their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Because of this tremendous truth, we as believers have a responsibility to forgive others and to walk in faith in a world of hatred and fear. This world of hatred and fear needs to see God’s people daring to be different, living in the love of God with forgiving hearts who are fearless and full of faith in God. Paul desires to see the Church in Corinth become forgiving, fearless, and full of faith in God.

 

Paul has decided to write this second letter to the Corinthians rather than make another painful visit to them (2 Corinthians 2:1). His reason for this is a bit selfish for he does not want to pain those who make him glad (2 Corinthians 2:2). Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was not intended to destroy their faith but instead out of much anguish of heart and in love, wishing draw closer to Christ (2 Corinthians 2:3-4).

 

The pain caused by the sinful man in the congregational did not just bring pain to just Paul, but to all of them (2 Corinthians 2:5). The punishment of banishment from the congregation by the majority is enough punishment with Paul urging the congregation to forgive him so he is not overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:6-7). Paul urges the Corinthians to reaffirm their love for this man (2 Corinthians 2:8). Paul’s reason for urging the Corinthians to forgive is so they are not outwitted by Satan and ignorant to his designs (2 Corinthians 2:9-11).

 

Even though a door to minister was open to Paul in Troas, Paul felt restless in his spirit because his brother Titus was not there so he did not remain there but went on to Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). Paul did not see moving on from the open door in Troas as a problem because he knew the knowledge of Christ went with him wherever he went (2 Corinthians 2:14). We are the aroma of Christ, a pleasing aroma of life to those being saved and death to those perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Unlike some claiming to preach God’s word, Paul and those with him speak with sincerity as commissioned by God, speaking in the sight of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:17).

 

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians brought them pain with Paul not wanting to come to them in person and inflict more pain. One of the painful areas addressed by Paul was an immoral man among their congregation (1 Corinthians 5). The pain for the Corinthians was Paul commanding them to get rid of the immoral man (1 Corinthians 5:2) and to deliver this man to Satan for destruction of the flesh so his spirit might be saved (1 Corinthians 5:5). Paul now urges the Corinthians to forgive the sinner and comfort him because he may be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:7). Forgiving this sinner keeps the Corinthians from playing into Satan’s plans for creating division in the Church (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

 

Paul shares how he came to Troas to preach the Gospel because a door to ministry opened there, but his spirit was not at rest because Titus was not there. Paul interpreted this lack of peace in his spirit as an indication to move on to Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). An open door to minister did not necessarily mean Paul should immediately enter with an unrestful spirit. Paul’s ministry was a triumphal precession that spread the fragrance of the Gospel of Christ wherever he went, in sincerity of heart under the commission of God speaking in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

 

Jesus made it clear that what tells people we belong to Christ is our love for one another (John 13:35). Unforgiveness of any sinner in the congregation does not demonstrate love for one another but this does not mean the Church must condone sin. While Paul made it clear the Corinthians were to excommunicate the immoral man from their congregation, it was so he would have an opportunity to repent, saving his spirit (1 Corinthians 5:5).

 

In our hearts we plan our way, but it is God who directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). When we see an open door before us our inclination is to go through it but if we do not have rest in our spirits, we should wait to see if there is another direction in which God wants us to go. Since we have the Spirit of God within us, the unrest in our spirits may be God directing us in another direction. In this text Paul lets us know that one triumphing in Christ is forgiving and surrendered to God’s direction for their lives. The first step in triumphing in Christ is asking God for forgiveness of sins for we all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and declaring Jesus as Lord of their lives (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have not taken this first step, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I challenge everyone reading this post to be forgiving just as Christ is forgiving toward us. May God bless everyone reading this post.

Idolatrous Elders Condemned

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 14:1-11

 

Ezekiel 14:6

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

(ESV)

 

The title of this post indicates the word of the Lord from Ezekiel speaks to elders in Israel worshipping idols of wood and stone with no application to us because we do not bow down and worship pagan idols. However, anything in our hearts that diverts our worship from the worship of the one true God is an idol. Jesus reminded us that whatever we treasure is where our hearts will be (Matthew 6:21). If that treasure is something other than the Lord Jesus, it constitutes an idol that may not necessarily be something made of wood or stone.

 

Some of the elders of Israel came to Ezekiel and when they did, a word of the Lord came to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 14:1-2). The Lord tells Ezekiel that these elders have taken their idols into their hearts and set their iniquities before their faces as a stumbling block, asking Ezekiel if He should allow Himself to be consulted by them (Ezekiel 14:3). Ezekiel is to speak to these them, telling them that anyone of the house of Israel that takes his or her idols to heart and sets his or her iniquity before their face coming to the prophet will receive an answer (Ezekiel 14:4). The Lord’s purpose for this is to lay hold of the hearts of those in Israel who have become estranged from the Lord due to the worship of their idols (Ezekiel 14:5).

 

Ezekiel is then instructed by the Lord to tell the house of Israel to repent and turn away from their idols and their abominations (Ezekiel 14:6). The people of the house of Israel or anyone who sojourns in Israel who worships idols in his or her heart and comes to consult a prophet will receive an answer from the Lord (Ezekiel 14:7). However the answer is not a good answer for the Lord will set his face against them and make an example of him, cutting him off from the people so they will know the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 14:8). The Lord also cautions any prophet who is deceived and speaks a word, the Lord will destroy that prophet (Ezekiel 14:9). Both the idolatrous inquirer and deceived prophet will suffer the same fate (Ezekiel 14:10). The purpose of all this is because the Lord wants Israel not to go astray or defile themselves but to be His people and for Him to be their God (Ezekiel 14:11).

 

A group of idolatrous elders have approached Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord. These elders have allowed their idols to become the object of worship in their hearts, openly committing iniquity. They inquire of the Lord, possibly believing they may receive a word forgiving and condoning their iniquities while holding on to the worship of their idols in their hearts. The Lord’s answer to them is to repent and turn from their idols and abominable worship of these idols (Ezekiel 14:6). Failure to repent will result in the prophet’s separation from the people of Israel (Ezekiel 14:8). The same punishment applies to a deceived prophet consulted by these idolatrous elders (Ezekiel 14:9-10).

 

It is not common today for one to worship a statue or image as an idol, but we may have many idols in our lives. The deception of these idols is they may not be evil, such as idolizing one’s family, children, career, or sports team. The problem with idolizing these people and things is they will fail us. Family and children will do and say things that hurt us. Careers may change or become outdated due to changes in the economy or technology. And sports teams do not always win. The Lord, however, will never fail us (Psalm 37:28, 94:14).

 

In these troubling times bringing temptation for the Church to turn from the Word of God and adopt the wokeness of the evil culture, the church must rid itself of anything it idolizes more than God. This is not a call to abandon family, careers, or support of one’s favorite sports team, but a word of caution not to allow these people and things to take the place of worshipping God in our hearts. When a conflict arises between these people and things and one’s worship of God, one must choose the worship of God.

 

I encourage everyone reading this to repent of any idols in their hearts that may be separating them from the true worship of God. If you are reading this and have never prayed for the forgiveness of sin and to make Jesus and God the object of worship in your heart, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.