7 Cs of Christian Living, 2

~ How Do You Measure Up?

The book of Ezekiel in general, and the first chapter in particular provides seven key characteristics of a Christian life. In that first chapter Ezekiel is provided with visions. Looking closely we find keys to God-honoring living by His children on earth.

Constant Life  ~  The word “living” is used 40 times in Ezekiel. There is no serving to God apart from spiritual life!

Consistent Life  ~  “Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves’ feet” (Ezekiel 1:7a). In the phrase “Their legs were straight” we can see the implication of a straight path as opposed to a wandering journey.

Consecrated Life  ~  “And each one went straight forward” (verse 12a).  The implication of “went straight forward” is a consecrated life. 

Controlled Life  ~  “They went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went” (verse 12b).  The clear implication of “they went wherever the Spirit wanted to go” is that they were Spirit controlled rather than controlled by their own desires and wishes. 

Convincing Life  ~  “When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings” (verse 24). They certainly made an impression—they had a convincing life.   

Contemplative Life  ~  “A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings” (verse 25). The implication “they let down their wings” is that they listened to the voice from above and stopped to consider, or contemplate what they heard.

Crowned Life  ~  “And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it” (verse 26). In the vision Ezekiel sees the glory of God and we are reminded by the man on the throne that the end of all true service for God is a crown!  

additional comment: The October 25, 2010 Abundant Life Now blog was entitled “7Cs of Christian Living” and was an analysis of Acts 2. Those seven were a Confessing Life, Convicting Life, Converting Life, Constant Life, Continuing Life, Communing Life, and Contagious Life.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Effectiveness

~ 6 Cs Of An Effective Christian Life From Ezekiel 1 ~         

The book of Ezekiel is about the glory of God sitting on His throne.  It is all about His presence. One interesting aspect of this book is we find the word “living” at least 40 times. It is clear from Scripture that there is no effectiveness in the Christian life unless one pays strong attention to his spiritual life. Physical activity without spiritual depth is ineffective in God’s view.

This book, like the entire canon of Scripture, is directly from God Himself. “The word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was upon him there” (Ezekiel 1:3).

A Consistent Life  ~  “Their legs were straight” (1:7a). They were careful where they went and they walked uprightly in a manner pleasing to God.  

A Consecrated Life  ~  “And each one went straight forward” (v. 12). They made their personal desires secondary to the will of God. The clear implication is an unwavering in their decision to follow God.  

A Controlled Life  ~  “They went wherever the Spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went” (v. 12b). They made their personal desires secondary to the will of God.  

A Convincing Life  ~  “When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings” (v. 24). They were noticed by those around. 

A Contemplative Life  ~  “A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings” (v. 25).  The implication is taking time aside to rest, reflect, and listen to God above. 

A Crowned Life  ~  “And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it” (v. 26). The end of all true service for God is a crown!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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The Life of Ezekiel

~ A Life That Pleased God ~   

We can learn a lot about how to please God from the prophet Ezekiel. His name means “God will strengthen” and his life was truly strengthened by God. He has been termed the “prophet of God’s glory.” Would you want to be remembered with an epitaph of “He displayed God’s glory”? Quite a testament to a life well lived! 

In the book of Ezekiel we find the word “living” used at least 40 times. A key message of the book shows that there is no true serving God apart from a deep spiritual life of intimacy with God. Remember that while God has no favorites, He allows each of us to chose to be intimate with Him.

The tone of the book is set forth in the first chapter as Ezekiel presents a Vision of Four Figures (1:1-21) and a Vision of Divine Glory (22-28). Then in chapter 2 we find Ezekiel’s call. Let’s consider some aspects of a life which pleases God from the visions Ezekiel experienced in chapter one.

A consistent life ~ “Their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf's hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze” (verse 7). The implication of “their legs were straight” is being focused and consistently striving toward the overall goal. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14).

A consecrated life ~ “And each went straight forward…” (v. 12a). This is like an amplification of the earlier thought but this phrase contains action—they lived a consecrated life, set apart for doing the right thing.  

A controlled life ~ “Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went” (v. 12b). They were led by, controlled by, the Spirit of God. In the New Testament we are told, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

A convincing life ~ “I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp” (v. 24a). What interesting phrases? “The sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters… like the voice of the Almighty” gives the impression of power and divine authority. 

A contemplative life ~ “Whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings. And there came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings” (vs. 24b-25). They weren’t just still, but they were letting down their wings, suggestive of a quiet, reflective time, a time of communion with God, a time of listening to God as well as talking to Him. 

A crowned life ~ “Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that's what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! When I saw all this, I fell to my knees, my face to the ground” (vs. 26-28). Awaiting all true servants is the coming into the very presence of God and receiving crowns of rewards for a life well lived. 

SUMMARY:  Is your life Consistent spiritually? Is your life Consecrated to God? Is your life Controlled by the Spirit? Is your life Convincing to those around? Is your life Contemplative in communion with your Creator? Are there Crowns waiting for you when you enter into the presence of God?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW