QT 08/08/2025 Fri. Ezekiel 18 A God of Justice and Mercy 正义与仁慈的上帝

QT 08/08/2025 Fri. Ezekiel 18  A God of Justice and Mercy
READ http://www.esv.org/eze18

Ezekiel 18 focuses on personal responsibility, God's justice, and the call to repentance.

📖 Scripture: Ezekiel 18:20
[20] The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (ESV)

🔍 Reflection:

Ezekiel 18 is a powerful reminder that God holds each person accountable for their own choices. The people of Israel were complaining, saying, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” (v. 2) In other words, they were blaming their ancestors for their current situation.

But God sets the record straight: He is just, and He deals with each individual based on their own life, not someone else’s. Your past does not have to define your future. The cycle of sin can be broken.

God says clearly: Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (ESV, v. 23)

This is not just about justice—this is about grace. God does not want anyone to perish. His heart is for repentance, restoration, and life.

🙏 Application:

(1) Personal Responsibility – Are there areas in your life where you’re blaming others instead of taking responsibility? God's call is to own your walk and turn to Him.

(2) Repentance is Always Possible – No matter how far you’ve gone, if you turn from sin, God offers mercy. “Repent and live!” (v. 32)

(3) Don’t Rely on the Past – Being raised in a godly home doesn’t save you. Likewise, coming from a broken past doesn’t doom you. God looks at the choices you make today.

🙌 Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are both just and merciful. Help me to take responsibility for my own life and walk with integrity. Where I’ve gone astray, lead me to repentance. Thank You that in Christ, I am forgiven and free. Let me never presume on Your grace, but walk in daily obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

💡 Challenge:

Take time this week to examine your heart. Is there a habit, sin, or excuse you’ve been holding onto? Lay it at the feet of Jesus. Remember: God delights in showing mercy—but He asks for a heart that’s willing to turn to Him.

QT 08/08/2025 星期五. 正义与仁慈的上帝
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/18/

《以西结书》第 18 章的重点是个人责任、上帝的公义和悔改的呼召。

📖 经文： 以西结书18：20
唯独犯罪的，才会灭亡；儿子必不担当父亲的罪孽，父亲也必不担当儿子的罪孽；义人的义必归他自己，恶人的恶也必归他自己。

🔍 反思：

《以西结书》第 18 章有力地提醒我们，上帝会让每个人为自己的选择负责。以色列百姓抱怨说：“父亲吃了酸葡萄，儿子的牙酸倒了’呢？”。(第 2 节）换句话说，他们把目前的处境归咎于祖先。

但是，上帝澄清了事实：祂是公正的，祂根据每个人自己的生活，而不是别人的生活来对待他们。你的过去不一定决定你的未来。罪的循环是可以打破的。

上帝说得很清楚: 难道我喜悦恶人死亡吗？我不是喜悦他回转离开他所行的而存活吗？这是主耶和华的宣告。(v. 23）

这不仅关乎正义，还关乎恩典。上帝不希望任何人灭亡。祂的心愿是悔改、恢复和生命。

🙏 应用：

(1) 个人责任--在你的生活中，是否有责怪他人而不是承担责任的地方？神的呼召就是要你承担自己的行为并转向祂。

(2）悔改总是可能的--无论你走离了多远，只要你从罪中回转，神就会给你怜悯。“悔改就能存活！”（第 32 节）。

(3）不要依赖过去--在虔诚的家庭中长大并不能拯救你。同样，来自破碎的过去也不会注定你要失败。神看的是你今天所做的选择。

🙌祷告：

天父，感谢您，您既公义又仁慈。帮助我为自己的生命负责，正直地行走。在我误入歧途的地方，引领我悔改。感谢您，在基督里，我得到了宽恕和自由。让我永远不要妄想您的恩典，而是每天顺服您而行。奉耶稣的名，阿们。

💡 挑战：

本周花点时间审视自己的内心。是否有你一直坚持的习惯、罪恶或借口？把它放在耶稣脚前。记住：上帝乐于施怜悯，但祂要求的是一颗愿意转向祂的心。