Today's Scripture Reading (June 22, 2023): Ezekiel 14
Evangelism has become a formula rather than the
result of a relationship. And I get it; relationships can be challenging, and
following a formula is much easier. I have an old book in my library entitled "Scriptures
for Soul-Winning." More than one person has come into my office, found the
book, and laughed that such a book exists. Maybe that laughter is because it
reflects a former way of looking at things. The Bible was once a much-respected
book to everyone, whether you were a Christian or not. But those days are gone.
The Bible is an unknown book to most of our neighbors, and they have no reason
to trust it. So, quoting from it to "save the souls of those around us"
doesn't work like it once did. If you are listening to some portions of the contemporary
church, the Bible is filled with homophobic passages and commands that abortion
is wrong. But the truth is that those are minor topics, at least as measured by
the number of verses opposing those activities in the Bible.
The Bible is a story of God's interaction with the
human race. There are beautiful stories within its pages. And there are things
that I admit I still don't understand. It is a complex book. I have read
through its pages several times, yet I still find something I didn't know or
understand. And after years of reading and teaching from its pages, it still
holds surprises for me.
And sometimes, its revelations are timely. I have
never been sold on a formula version of Christianity that includes specific
steps that carry you to salvation because I am not convinced that our paths are
all the same. God reveals himself in different and deeply personal ways.
The leaders of the Jewish community in exile once
more came to Ezekiel. And it seems that God doesn't instruct Ezekiel until the
moment that the leaders arrive. The word to Ezekiel is fresh. When Ezekiel begins
to speak to these leaders, he has new insight into what is going on in their lives.
Sometimes I wish God would give me more insight as I
meet with people. I recently met with a church leader (not from my church) who
was upset at the goings on in his church. And as we talked, I asked about what
he had done to try to fix the situation. This leader replied that he was
waiting for the church to make the first move. My response to this news was
that I was skeptical about the success of such a plan. We tend to respond as we
always have. If there were going to be a change in the church, he would have to
try to model that change in front of the church leaders.
Ezekiel is about to learn that the leaders have set
up idol worship in their lives. Ezekiel could accept that as part of living in
a foreign land, or he could set the example and let them know that God was not
pleased with their behavior. Idol worship was part of the problem back in
Canaan, and if they ever wanted to go home, it could not be a problem in
Babylon. They had to be willing to listen whenever the word of the Lord came to
them through Ezekiel.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 15
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