What God Says

8/28/2016

Ezekiel 3.27 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people. – God

The calling of a prophet is to only say what God says. A prophet isn’t to veer to the left or to the right; a prophet is to say God’s words. God told Ezekiel to say to them: This is what the Sovereign Lord says. If they listened, good for them. If they didn’t, they didn’t.

At this point it appears Ezekiel was, perhaps, viewed as mentally deficient because they bound him with ropes (V. 25) and God gave him some sort of speech impediment: [his] tongue would stick to the roof of [his] mouth. Talk about insult to injury. But when Ezekiel was allowed to speak, he was to say: This is what the Sovereign Lord says. Their response could go either way, accept or reject.

Isn’t that the point of the modern believer – to say what God says? It sounds like Jesus was commanding such in Matthew 28: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have [said to] you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Vv. 19, 20) A believer today is to say God’s words.

But a believer is also to build relationships. It is much easier to say the things of God to a friend than it is to yell them arguing with an enemy. A believer is called to know and say the things of God. And if they listen, great. If they don’t, well, they don’t. Prophets prophesied; believers evangelize. The chips are to fall where they may.

God desires, wants, and would love to have a relationship with everyone. It’s just that simple. God has gone way out of His way to do so. But God has determined to let man decide. So will, some won’t, who’s next? Theology can get real messy at this point, but God isn’t going to push Himself on anyone. That doesn’t diminish His desire to be friends with us.

The world attempts to silence the messengers. The world blames the Church because of Her messengers. And, face it, some of Her messengers are downright immature, loud, pushy, arrogant, and yes, bigoted. Some need to grow up and tone it down. But God is God and He has chosen that this is the way it is going to be.

My part in all of this is to learn what God says. Live what God says. And be loquacious about what God says. That’s requires my paying attention to a bunch of different things, but overall to making sure my relationship with God is viable and credible. It doesn’t mean everyone is going to believe; it does mean I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and letting the chips to fall wherever they may.

Father, as I go about my life here on the rock, may I say what You tell me to say and may I speak Your words. The truth is what sets people free so may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, and helpful to my fellow man. And then Lord, what happens, happens. Whatever happens, use me I pray, amen.