Ezekiel 36:32 Not for your sakes do I this, said the Lord GOD, be it known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. I. HAS ITS ORIGIN IN GOD AND GOD ONLY. "I do this for My Holy Name's sake." All that God does is self-originated. He alone is spontaneous in action. This fact — 1. Takes away all ground for human pride. 2. Should inspire us with adoring gratitude. II. SERVES TO REVEAL THE GLORY OF GOD'S CHARACTER TO THE WORLD. The moral redemption of man, which involves the marvellous history and work of Christ, reveals more of the glory of God than all the material universe in its vastness and variety. III. INVOLVES SEPARATION FROM ALL UNHOLY ASSOCIATIONS. 1. "Come out," as a protest against iniquity. 2. "Come out" as an example to others. 3. "Come out" to qualify yourself for usefulness. Every man must morally be like Christ, "separate from sinners," to be able to save them. IV. COMPRISES A THOROUGH RENOVATION OF HUMAN LIFE. 1. The nature of this renovation. (1) Cleansing. (2) Exchange of hearts. 2. The consequences of this renovation. (1) A new mode of life. Turn the rudder, and you turn the ship. (2) A new relationship, The real meaning of this promise is, You shall be Mine — My loyal subjects, My willing servants, My loving children. And I will be yours. You shall have Me for your King, Father, Everlasting Portion. (3) New circumstances. He that seeks first the kingdom of God, will have all necessary things added to him, This is fulfilled in the temperance, industry, and economy of truly redeemed lives. (4) A new view of past life. It rises up as a huge and a hideous enormity, before which they quail and tremble; and ever after are humble in themselves, lowly before God, charitable towards men. (Urijah R. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. |
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