Don’t Witness … Experience Judgement?????

This scripture has always irritated me.  Not because of what it says, but because of what people make it to say.  What I read in Ezekiel 33 is that God is given Ezekiel an example using the watchman.  If the watchman alerts the people, and they respond … great.  If the watchman alerts the people, and they don’t respond, the blood of the people is on their own head.  If the watchman sees the danger coming and says nothing … then, the blood of the people is on their own head.  God then tells Ezekiel that he – Ezekiel – is God’s watchman for Israel, and he better speak what God is giving him to speak.

What I tire of is what I have heard for a long time about this scripture.  People say … because of this scripture … if we do not witness to someone we fill led to witness to, then, their blood is on our head.  They say we will be held accountable by God for this negligence.  They say we will be judged for failing to obey.  My question is what will this judgement look like?  Is God going to send us to Hell for a short amount of time?  Is he going to just make us stand there and feel really bad about it for a while?  What is that???? That’s crazy!!!

So, what is the answer.  I think I’ve found it.  At least it makes sense to me.

When I have actually shared my faith, I have experienced one of the greatest joys ever … whether the person got saved or not.  Of course, a decision for salvation makes it even better, but just obeying God in evangelism brings a joy that just cannot be explained or experienced.  You have to experience it for your self.

So, in my opinion, our judgement is that we miss out on this extreme joy given by God!  We miss out on a wonderful opportunity to experience God!  We miss out on a chance to grow closer to our God!  Our judgement is immediate.

Go with God,
Donald B

Children – a Blessing of Rest from God

A few weeks ago, Steve Markle – pastor of Life Community Church – presented a message where he used these two verses. He used them for different points of his message, but I found something else that I would like to share.

I have often heard messages preached about how God gives us rest – and they will use Psalm 127:2 in the message. I have also heard messages preached discussing children and how they are a blessing from the Lord – and they will use Psalm 127:3. But it wasn’t until Steve used them a few weeks ago that I came to see the connection I am going to try to bring out.

I often struggle with the whole Sabbath rest thing. Are we simply supposed to do nothing one day out of the week? Is that what it means? Does it have to be a certain day? If we are supposed to stop doing things, how far do we take it? Jesus was condemned by the Pharisees for violating the Jewish laws regarding the Sabbath. His response to them was “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:12)

I believe God’s intention is for us to have a day of rest. But the thing we have to define or understand is … what is rest? For me, rest does not mean to stop working. That may seem weird, but I don’t think that’s what it means. Here’s a sample of a normal week for me …

- Mon – Fri – Work at the Pentagon for the Air Force
- Sat – Work around the house
- Sun – Work at church setting up, running computer and tearing down

So, where do I find rest?

I think the answer is in the two verses above.

In verse 2, the Psalmist tells us that God gives rest to his loved ones. And then, he follows verse 2 with verse 3. I know that’s one of those duh things … of course verse 3 follows verse 2 … but why are we told that children are a gift from the Lord immediately after we are told that God gives rest to his loved ones.

I believe that God gives us rest through our family. If I am working at home with my children taking care of the house or other chores, I find rest. If I am just doing things with my children, I find rest. The more time I spend with my children (family) the more rest I find.

It’s a weird connection, but I see truth in it. But what about the single people or the childless people? Although children are a blessing from the Lord, I believe the concept of finding rest goes beyond just children. We find rest as we spend time with children, spouses, extended family, friends, etc. I believe we can find rest by breaking from our daily work and spending time with other people that God has placed in our lives.

This would be one of the reasons attending church once a week is so important. We can find God’s rest in church.

Hope that makes sense!

Go with God,
Donald B