February 3, 2023 - Ezekiel 33:12-14, 17-20

“Son of man, give your people this message: The righteous behavior of righteous people will not save them if they turn to sin, nor will the wicked behavior of wicked people destroy them if they repent and turn from their sins. When I tell righteous people that they will live, but then they sin, expecting their past righteousness to save them, then none of their righteous acts will be remembered. I will destroy them for their sins. And suppose I tell some wicked people that they will surely die, but then they turn from their sins and do what is just and right. Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they who are not doing what’s right. For again I say, when righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and turn to evil, they will die. But if wicked people turn from their wickedness and do what is just and right, they will live. O people of Israel, you are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right.’ But I judge each of you according to your deeds.”Ezekiel 33:12-14, 17-20 NLT

Lord, we thank you that you see our hearts and don’t just judge us on a surface level. We thank you so much for your forgiveness. Help us be righteous people who truly do our best to walk in righteousness all the time. When we fail in this endeavor, help us to quickly run to you for forgiveness and turn from that behavior. Lord, we also ask that you help us extend the same grace and forgiveness to others that you extend to us. We can sometimes be quick to judge people who we believe need punishment and not forgiveness. We might even get upset at you for offering forgiveness to certain people. We must learn to trust you. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that there won’t be consequences, but it is up to you what that looks like. You are the only judge who is truly qualified to judge. We leave these things in your capable hands and let go.

In Jesus name, amen.