Repent and Turn

God's Creative Word
God Calls For Justice:  Justice Defined
The Heart of the Law

Ezekiel 18:25-32

The Message

 ^25-28 "Do I hear you saying, 'That's not fair! God's not fair!'?
    "Listen, Israel. I'm not fair? You're the ones who aren't fair! If a good person turns away from his good life and takes up sinning, he'll die for it. He'll die for his own sin. Likewise, if a bad person turns away from his bad life and starts living a good life, a fair life, he will save his life. Because he faces up to all the wrongs he's committed and puts them behind him, he will live, really live. He won't die.
 ²⁹ "And yet Israel keeps on whining, 'That's not fair! God's not fair.'
    "I'm not fair, Israel? You're the ones who aren't fair.
 ^30-32 "The upshot is this, Israel: I'll judge each of you according to the way you live. So turn around! Turn your backs on your rebellious living so that sin won't drag you down. Clean house. No more rebellions, please. Get a new heart! Get a new spirit! Why would you choose to die, Israel? I take no pleasure in anyone's death. Decree of God, the Master.
    "Make a clean break! Live!"

For Reflection

Every child learns the, "Its not fair!" argument.  Almost as though it was passed genetically from generation to generation.  That each of us accrues the consequences of our actions is ultimately fair and just.  Sin results in a life lived poorly.   Godliness results in a life lived well.  Too often God becomes the original loser as human kind blames Him for the consequence of their own action.

God takes no pleasure in lives lived poorly, in sin.  God offers over and over again the means to enjoy the good life lived well. Each one is gifted to live a life uniquely his or hers exactly like no other person.  God judges each individual on how one lives his or her lives, on how well he or she uses his or her unique gifts.  He measures a person not by a group standard but rather and individual standard.   Why would anyone reject His offer? 

Pray

that you will have confidence in God's unique gifts to you.  Pray that you will not measure your success at living based on cultural standards or on some standard derived by observing admired individuals.  Pray that you will recognize your uniqueness and fulfill God's unique plan for your life.