June 19: Acting on God’s Word

Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.

In recent years, there has been a persistence of thought that has entered the church against the authority and inerrancy of God’s Word. Whether by neglect or refusal to heed its instruction, the confidence of scriptural truth has been put aside for the “new” ways of thinking. In the midst of our greatest opportunities to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world, the truth and relevance of Scripture has been attacked from without and from within the church by diminishing its message. Rather than building the Kingdom, we have rebuilt Babel.

In lieu of obeying God’s Word and heeding its caution, some have chosen to recognize only select portions to follow. Like the nations of Israel and Judah, we have allowed the philosophies of man to challenge truth as revealed in Scripture and permitted God’s Word to become suspect, leaving the burden of proof against the accused.

The Apostle Paul tells Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). God has given us His Word as the revelation of Himself. It has been given to the church for the declaration of truth. This truth reveals sin and draws to repentance. We must, therefore, declare His Word unashamedly (12:17-20).

When the Lord gave Ezekiel a prophecy about the coming destruction of Israel as a judgment against the people’s sins, Ezekiel spoke His Word boldly. Even for us today, God’s Word clearly warns that unrepentant sinners will face God’s judgment. Against such certain judgment, we must declare His Word.

But what about when people accuse God’s Word as untrustworthy because they have not yet seen all its promises and warnings fulfilled? These people should consider the mercy of God’s delay (12:21-25). “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). In addition to the delay of judgment by God’s mercy is His continued promise of blessings fulfilled. Though we may become discouraged as we wait for the realization of those blessings, we can place our confidence in their future certainty.

Therefore, we must not disregard His Word (12:26-28). The Apostle Peter’s words of encouragement to trust in the certainty of God’s Word are also followed by a caution against disregard. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” (1 Peter 3:10-11). Ezekiel prophesied with a warning against disregarding His coming judgment based on their presumption that it would be in the distant future. Peter, likewise, warns us not to become complacent in our obedience as we wait. For “God is not slow as some consider slowness to be.” The Lord has given His Word and expects people to act on His Word immediately.

When we act, however, we must do so with genuine hearts. In chapter 14, the elders come to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord, but God revealed to Ezekiel that, though their actions seemed pious, their hearts were evil (14:4-6). Author Calvin Miller wrote, “Animosity cloaked in piety is a demon even if it sits in church praising the Creator.” God expects us to respond to His Word with genuine trust and repentance. From that response obedience must follow.