Ezekiel 36:25-32

     I was cleaning out my documents and ran across this great comment on this particular scripture in Ezekiel 36. I don't have an author's name but will post it as I find it a heartfelt interepretation of the scripture.  

25)I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26)And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27)And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28)You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29)And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30)I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31)Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32)It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.

     Do these words bring you joy, are they a pleasant aroma, do they bring life to your soul? From the beginning God has set apart a people for himself to be born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The Ezekiel scripture above is a promise that’s fulfillment does not depend on the volition of man, rather it is certain to take place in God's chosen vessels of mercy. God's faithfulness in preserving His people is a sure thing. Those born again WILL walk in the Spirit. They WILL struggle with the ever present reality of sin and they WILL indeed loathe themselves and long for the redemption of their bodies. But until that day they will--by faith--rest in their declared state of righteousness merited by the life of Christ, and be moved by the Spirit of God to walk in the light as He is in the light.Let the scoffers and mockers of grace trample Christ under foot; to this end they were appointed. Also let those who see the merits of Christ unfit to secure a seat at the table, labor and strive to earn the favor of God; to this end they too were appointed. But let those who have been brought low and broken, who see the depth of their depravity, weep and mourn for the appointed time. Then let them be renewed in their minds, renewed in strength, leaning fully on the grace of God in Christ and walking in obedience to His word; for to this end they were appointed.