| As I Live Saith The Lord |
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Ezekiel 18 There's a story, I read in the Bible, Of a man who was living in sin. Our dear old Paul had the answer, "Go there and deal with that man! Else his soul is bound for Hades And, though you don't like the task, Say the words that must be spoken. Go, now, and do as I ask!" Then, we wait for a few chapters over. Paul, once again, has to tell, "Go, now, and plead with that man. Lift him up, Lest his soul be lost in hell!" Sometimes we forget there's a story Cut in two by some little space. Some people never search long enough To see God's amazing grace. Way back in Exodus, He told us That the children have answers to give For sins of their earthly grandfathers; To the fourth generation they live! But, look in Ezekiel, chapter eighteen. Use the Hebrew or living account And you'll see the nature of loving, And know what God is really about. I don't know what my fourth grandfather did at all. I don't even know his name. I'd like to understand about him. But, it's beyond my ability to claim. I used to worry and pray God would see I was doing all I could, from my view. But, I always thought, maybe, it wasn't enough; There was something else I needed to do. In the first place, if we must answer For the sins of our forefather's lives, Ii nullifies all our Lord suffered. Jesus' words would be packed full of lies! So, after you read, in Exodus, Be sure to read all the rest. It feels so good (my sins are enough) To know Jesus passed the test. "As I live" (And He does! For, He's in my heart.), "As I live," He says, as an oath, "You shall not teach this to men anymore!" I don't believe He made a joke... Not the third, nor the fourth, but for "his very own" And just think, Child of God, what that means! For our very own sins were the reason He came! His blood, on the cross, makes us clean! It is free! Such a prize! It is free, dear heart! It's for me. It's for you. Look it up! Throw off the burdens that weighted you down! Jesus paid! It was more than enough! Exodus 20:5 "... for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation ..." Ezekiel 18:2 "Why do people use this proverb about the land of Israel: The children are punished for their father's sins? As I live, says the Lord God, you will not use this proverb anymore in Israel, for all souls are mine to judge ... fathers and sons alike ~ and My rule is this: It is for a man's own sins ..." TLB |
| © 2004 by Joan Clifton Costner |
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