"With their lips they show much love, but their heart is set on gain" - Ezekiel 33.31. RSV
Who is to blame when love has gone? Do we blame the fellowship at large? The Pastor? The times in which we live?
In their situation, the exiles stuck away in Babylonia blamed their sinful forefathers; but Ezekiel tells them that they can't do that,
and the whole of chapter 18 deals with the question of individual resposibility before God.
Here is a call for self-examination. When did I last extend hospitality towards others, in my own home, as the New Testament enjoins
me to do? When did I last open my home to my unconverted friends? Indeed have I any unconverted friends that I can and do love
for Jesus' sake?
Is it really no use blaming others, or adverse circumstances, when love departs from the people of God.
So great is the power of love that one man - I repeat, one man - can by the power of God's love in his soul transform a whole community.
So tremendous is the power of love. God grant that I be that man!
Ezekiels hearers showed a great deal of love with their lips, we read, but their hearts were set on gains, rather than on their Lord, the centre of all true love. We know all too well about this matter of gain, be it social, material, or intellectual. Even in the context of Christ's service, where we talk about 'my' congregation and 'my' lot.
"If you love me" said Jesus, "keep my commandments" Here is our indictment - 'They will not do it for with their lips they show much love,
but their heart is set on their gains' A rebellious house: guilty of empty speaking, passive listening, shallow loving, and unreal living.
Let us heed the word of God, written for our admonition, and instruction.
Who is to blame when love has gone? Do we blame the fellowship at large? The Pastor? The times in which we live?
In their situation, the exiles stuck away in Babylonia blamed their sinful forefathers; but Ezekiel tells them that they can't do that,
and the whole of chapter 18 deals with the question of individual resposibility before God.
Here is a call for self-examination. When did I last extend hospitality towards others, in my own home, as the New Testament enjoins
me to do? When did I last open my home to my unconverted friends? Indeed have I any unconverted friends that I can and do love
for Jesus' sake?
Is it really no use blaming others, or adverse circumstances, when love departs from the people of God.
So great is the power of love that one man - I repeat, one man - can by the power of God's love in his soul transform a whole community.
So tremendous is the power of love. God grant that I be that man!
Ezekiels hearers showed a great deal of love with their lips, we read, but their hearts were set on gains, rather than on their Lord, the centre of all true love. We know all too well about this matter of gain, be it social, material, or intellectual. Even in the context of Christ's service, where we talk about 'my' congregation and 'my' lot.
"If you love me" said Jesus, "keep my commandments" Here is our indictment - 'They will not do it for with their lips they show much love,
but their heart is set on their gains' A rebellious house: guilty of empty speaking, passive listening, shallow loving, and unreal living.
Let us heed the word of God, written for our admonition, and instruction.
