SOAP 09/02/2011; Ezekiel 18:31

Today's reading: Ezekiel 17, 18, 19; Revelation 7

S)"³¹ Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel?"

Ezekiel 18:31 (NASB)

O) This is a picture of what repentence really means. It's not just saying sorry to God, it's casting away all of our sins and taking hold of a new heart and new spirit which God will place in us when we turn away from our sins (see Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 11:19). Also, that last question really speaks God's heart for us. He gave His people redemption and all they had to do was choose life. In Jesus Christ, He offers the same redemption for all people; all we have to do is choose not to die.

A) Walking in continual repentence means that you are consistently putting yourself under God's judgement, and His evaluation. Staying in the Word is one of the surest ways to subject yourself to that sort of "progress report" with God (see Hebrews 4:12). Also, humbly keeping yourself accountable to other men and women of God will go a long way to this end. My grandma used to say that, as Christians, we aren't supposed to judge one another, but we should be loving "fruit inspectors." The Bible says we will bear fruit in keeping with repentence (Matthew 3:8), and so that's what I intend to do.

P) Father, make me aware of all of my sins, God; sometimes I know it's easy to be blinded to one area in my life or another. Holy Spirit, continue to remind me of Your words that I've read, to show me how my life really is at any given moment. Give me courage and strength, and humility, to hold myself accountable to my wife, pastor, and leaders in my church. I want the life You've provided for me, God. Thank You for that gift, in Jesus' name. Amen.