For His Name's Sake

Ezekiel 36:22-23
²² "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. ²³ I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.


// THOUGHTS:

.. When the Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy to the mountains of Israel (v. 1), the Lord has revealed Israel's sins against the Lord; He exposed them. Yet, with all these things, we know that the Lord still loved them. He still showed his concern for them and gave them a land flowing with milk and honey.
.. However, we know that the Lord's love for them sprung forth from His nature - LOVE (agape). He protected His Name which Israel has profaned. He shows His GRACE to Israel by doing things beyond comprehension - His sacrifice and gifts (v. 24-30)
.. The Lord did this FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE!

.. Then we say, why would the Lord do such a thing if He was a just God? Isn't it "unfair" on God's part that He forgives anyways, hence, will cause people to sin more? v. 31-32 tells us "Then you will remember your evil ways...", "Be ashamed and disgraced of your conduct..."
.. The purpose I see of which the Lord forgives for His name's sake is, for people to realize their own sins. Which tells me that the grace of God gives us a full exposure of our sinfulness. Because God is so good and pure, when we put ourselves in comparison to His holiness, our sins are fully exposed. Black and white.

_How does this relate to us in 21st century?

.. Many have profaned, mocked, and embarrassed the name of the Lord - yet He still offers salvation and forgiveness to everyone (that's grace!)
.. God's grace is not an excuse to sin. If God's grace [the clemency of God to mankind] exposes our sinfulness, isn't the more we must NOT sin?
.. God's love is available to all - He preserves His name. If one is a child of God (one who has a relationship with Christ), then all the more we must realize His love daily by living our lives in devotion to Him; following His will and obeying what He commands us to do. That is the LEAST we can do.


// BELLE:

.. These are "basic" principles of Christianity, yet I need to realize this daily in my walk with Christ up to the smallest detail of practical living.
.. God's grace exposes my sinfulness - He still loves me because He wants to preserve the name that I carry daily. Therefore, I must be worthy of that (Philippians 1).
.. It is only through the grace of God that I am what I am.
.. I must live my life in accordance to what brings glory to the name of Christ!

_Practicals:
.. Home life
.. Life with friends
.. Ministry life
.. Do things in excellence to bring forth the name of Christ.
.. Always BRING BACK HONOR and GLORY TO GOD!
.. Acknowledge that ALL THINGS are due to HIS GRACE and MERCY in my life.


// Lord, YOU ARE GREAT AND LOVING. Thank you so much for Your grace. Truly, I deserve nothing for being one who profane your name. Forgive me if there are times that I embarrass you with my thought life, actions, and my speech. I pray that You will help me to live a life that exudes your grace. That people may see that it is YOU who is at work within me and not my own self. Thank you for Your love. Help me to be faithful to You in everything. In Jesus' name, amen.