February 25, 2007 · Ezekiel 33:11

Ezekiel 33

“We're all judged according to our own ways. If we were righteous and then we turned to evil, we face damnation. If we were wicked and then we turned to good, we embrace salvation. Now, how does this all, this Old Testament language, the New Testament good news, about faith and salvation through Jesus Christ? Doesn't Paul tell us that we're just seeing through faith, not through our works? Yes. Our salvation comes to our faith in God's mercy alone. We need to understand that is on account of our works that we are damned, however. It is our works that damn us. It is God's grace, which saves us. Let me continue the verse from Romans 3 that I had read earlier. Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in a sight by observing the law, rather through the law we become conscious of sin. But now, a righteousness from God, a part from the law, has been made known to which the law and the prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference where all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through redemption that came through Christ Jesus. Do you notice that the law and the prophets testify to the righteousness that we received through Jesus Christ? The words of the prophet Ezekiel are pointing directly at Jesus. The salvation that Ezekiel speaking of is obtained through the Messiah through Jesus Christ. I think sometimes Christians need to be very careful that we don't fall into this trap of cheap grace. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ indeed, but if we obtain this type of salvation, it will change our lives.”