HOPE (Even when we don't see it that way)

Today you must be exeperiencing God's grace and love for you. Lift up your head, take a deep breath, and realize "He has given us another day!" Today the majority of the people professing Christ to be their Savior only find 'Hope' in teachings and scripture that promise them something, make them feel good, and they agree with. But what about the majority of the scripture?

For years people have been persuaded that the 'Old' Testament does not hold much merit because the 'New' Testament is about the 'New' Covenant. Unfortunately they do not know that 'Both' go hand in hand, and that each are from God, and have been inspired by God. Each are for our everyday walk to God, and not away from Him.

To me, Ezekial 18 (really the whole chapter) verses 25-32 offer true hope to all believers. It is the key to the beginning, and the finishing strong in the Lord as a true Christian. Lets look at them, "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has commited he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are My ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

"Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new Spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!"

When we become 'Believers' then we are grafted into Israel's lineage. So, the same applies to us today. We cannot begin to believe that we have an advantage over Israel, and then continue to sin. The scriputre is clear on who will and will not live with Him in heaven.

So where is the hope? Most that read this blog will think "I don't see it that way!" While those who know that God loves us so much that He is warning us before it is to late will say "Thank you Lord!" Now the choice is ours. We can lay down 'All' that is sin in our lives and live, or continue to justify and use excuses for sin. Right now we have the opportunity to turn away from sin, repent, and live. Now that is true hope~