Over the past few months I have been reading from the prophets in the Old Testament. I have been challenged by much of what I have read, but this passage from Ezekiel chapter 3 really hit me between the eyes:
17-19 "Son of man, I’ve made you a watchman for the family of Israel. Whenever you hear me say something, warn them for me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You are going to die,’ and you don’t sound the alarm warning them that it’s a matter of life or death, they will die and it will be your fault. I’ll hold you responsible. But if you warn the wicked and they keep right on sinning anyway, they’ll most certainly die for their sin, but you won’t die. You’ll have saved your life." (The Message)
This is a huge responsibility that God laid on Ezekiel. He was commanded to not keep anything that God had revealed to himself. If he did, he would be held responsible for the death of the people.
What is our responsibility with the words of God that we have been freely given? What are we to do with the information we have about the love of God and his Son, Jesus? If we have heard and have experienced it, can we keep it to ourselves? Jesus makes this clear in Matthew 28:18-20:
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (The Message)
People all around us are dying in their sin. And, like Ezekiel, God has asked us to share with the dying people around us the information that can keep them from that death.
WOW! Am I doing that? Am I truly proclaiming life?
Here at IMM we are proclaiming life to those that watch or listen to our programming. I feel it is such a privilege to be a part of this proclamation, but what about me personally, in my relationships with others, as I interact with people on a daily basis?
Please join with me in this prayer as we rub shoulders with people who look like they are alive on the outside, but yet their souls are dying on the inside:
Jesus, use my words and my life to proclaim life today. Give me discernment and wisdom as I encounter people today who need to know the love and life you want to freely give them. Holy Spirit, speak through me! Amen.