Day 329: Break the Cycle

Philippians 1:1-11; Ezekiel 18; Isaiah 47

The beginning of Philippians has two passages that are really powerful: that God will finish the good work he started in us and that God will help us to be pure when Christ returns. I love to think about the idea that God is working on me and in me. That he cares enough about me to pay attention to what I struggle with and transform me into something blameless. And what are we supposed to do in the meantime, until Christ returns? Loving, making good decisions, and good deeds. Those three things summarize how believers should spend our time in interaction with others.

This story in Ezekiel is very cool. Basically, a child doesn't suffer for the sins of their parents. Kids can break the cycle that their elders have set up for them, for good or bad. We have no excuse to be less than awesome because our parents weren't. God also reveals his love and goal for life transformation: he wants evil people to leave their sinful ways and do good. He wants them to stop worshiping bad stuff and start worshiping Him. God doesn't get pleasure in punishing people. He old rather everyone changes so he doesn't have to punish anyone. Our God is a good God, just, but good.