That They Shall Know….
A thought came to mind this morning as I was reading in Ezekiel. I think I will start marking the phrase, ‘they shall know that I am the Lord.’
I read it over and over when God is allowing the consequences of the choices of the wicked to happen.
War, drought, famine, pestilence….all to show that God is God and He is THE Lord.
Then I thought of Ezek 20:12.
‘Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.’
Sabbath is the sign of God being OUR Lord; that He is the One who sanctifies (makes holy/sinless).
How do we become sinless? By walking in obedience to God’s law. Sin is the transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4).
Jer 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Heb 10:16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
If we have God’s law written in our minds and hearts, we will not be breaking it. We will walk in obedience.
We are to walk as Jesus walked. (1 John 2:6)
If you love Me (Jesus), keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
Jesus was sinless since He kept the law perfectly. IF we walk as Jesus walked, we will do the same. NOT in our own power, but by relying on God. This is what Jesus did.
Keeping the law does not save us. Obedience is the fruit of salvation. We obey because we love Him.
Other references;
Exodus 31:13
“Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
Exodus 31:17
It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'”
Isaiah 56:2
Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
Jeremiah 17:22
You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.
Ezekiel 20:20
Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
If we do not learn to obey God’s law now, which is the foundation of His government in heaven, how can we keep it there? God will allow no law-breakers in heaven. That is how satan got kicked out of heaven. He broke God’s law.
Law-breakers would not be happy in heaven either. They would not be happy with the unselfishness and love that reigns there. They would not be able to stand in the purity of God’s love.
Something to think about.