Family, faith and forgiveness

Today: Ezekiel 18-20

There are a lot of things we inherit from our families--eye color, the shape of our noses, height and even habits. One thing that's not inherited from our parents? Salvation.

In today's passage, it was interesting to read the clear instruction that God doesn't judge me based on the goodness (or mess-ups) of my parents. And God won't judge my children based on my mistakes or successes. Each one of us is accountable for how we live our lives before God.

I like how God expressed His heart here--His heart is to forgive those who ask Him. Take a look:

"But a wicked person

who turns his back on that life of sin

and keeps all my statutes, living a just and righteous life,

he'll live, really live.

He won't die.

I won't keep a list of all the things he did wrong.

He will live.

Do you think I take any pleasure

in the death of wicked men and women?

Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around,

no longer living wrong but living right—

really living?

As much as I like this excerpt, it's important to note that it's pretty impossible for any human being to keep all of God's statutes (e.g. obey Him at all times). No one is perfect. But here's the Good News--Jesus, God in flesh, was perfect--and through His sacrifice, you and I can be forgiven (see Romans 3:21-27). This means that when God sees those who have accepted Christ's gift of salvation, He doesn't see our sin--He sees the perfect, righteous record of Jesus instead.

Even beyond that? Through faith in Jesus, God actually adopts us as part of His family (review Ephesians 1:4-6). Can you believe that? Like really believe it? No matter what your family tree looks like and even with all of your past mistakes--you can now be one of God's kids. Through faith, you're not only forgiven--you've found a family.

Friends and family

Today: Proverbs 16-18

Perhaps one of the most tragic things I've seen in life is the break-ups of great friends and great families. And on the flip side, one the BEST things I've ever experienced is friends who are like family and family members who are actually friends.

I think the writer of today's passage may have had a similar experience. Take another look at a few verses from today's chapters:

Overlook an offense and bond a friendship;

fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!

The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam,

so stop it before it bursts.

Friends love through all kinds of weather,

and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

Words kill, words give life;

they're either poison or fruit—you choose.

Friends come and friends go,

but a true friend sticks by you like family.

What causes friendships to break? What pulls families apart? In many cases, it starts with words--words that are hurtful or positive words that are left unsaid. Sometimes those words lead to offenses...and in the most tragic cases, unforgiveness, bitterness and brokenness.

On the flip side, encouraging words, a Facebook post or a handwritten card from a great friend or family member can strengthen bonds. Love, loyalty and forgiveness are the bonds that hold friends and families together. Good relationships take effort--they will cost you time, energy and sometimes, doing and saying what you want.

One thing I've learned so far? You can't keep score. If you do, love never wins (and neither will you). Fight for who and what you love most--forgive.

Tomorrow: Proverbs 19-21

The worship family

Originally written March 15

Today: 1 Chronicles 6

This chapter describes the people dedicated to worship—including the Levite priests and worship leaders. It also describes how God and His people provided land for them. This chapter really doesn’t have much to say about the priests and worship leaders, but I think it’s interesting that before the Israelites had a royal family, they had families dedicated to serving God’s Tent/Temple and leading them in worship—they had a worship family.

The fact that God established a nation that way says something about who He is and what He likes. He likes to be first. He likes to have people dedicated to worshipping Him. Today’s churches don’t have worship families because ultimately, I think God wants all of us to be worshippers who love serving Him and His house.

Tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 7-8