Ezekiel 36:24-27
24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
The Lord is speaking to the Nation of Israel through Ezekiel telling them of the good plans He has for them. Israel was scattered among the nations because of their disobedience but God plans to bring them back to Him. He goes further to tell them He will give them new hearts and cause them to walk with Him. They will follow His ways because He will be within them. With God’s Holy Spirit leading from the inside, the Israelites will walk with their God. Not only that, He will cause them to follow His commands. Oh if that were possible for us. It is if we will listen. God still calls us today.
Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not one beside Christ is worthy of salvation. Romans 6:23 (NKJV) says 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. What we deserve is death, not life. But instead, God offers us eternal life through Jesus. The clean water He says He will sprinkle on us to cleanse us is Baptism into Christ. Once in Christ, we are new creations. We will have a new heart. We will be transformed.
Transformation is different for different people. I had a friend who was addicted to illegal drugs. His life was not going well when he came to know the Lord. His transformation was instant. He was immediately freed from his drug addiction. I, on the other hand always had God in my life. There was no sudden change. Christ entered my life slowly, subtly but steadily. I have more peace. I am more patient. He calls me to walk with Him by guiding me through His Holy Spirit. I become aware of things through His leading. I know things I did not know before as they are revealed to me.
Do you feel you have strayed too far for Him to redeem you? We go astray by our own choosing. But God always has a plan for our return. He loves us that much. No matter how far you have strayed, God still loves you and has made a way back possible for you. He will gather you from all the world and bring you back to Him. And He will live within you to guide you in the way that is best for you. He loves you so much, He will always welcome you with open arms.
Thank You Lord that You always make a way for us to return to You. Thank You that You wash us clean and give us a new heart; a heart that loves You. Gather us to Yourself and let us live in Your grace forever. In Your name we pray!