In what ways can we ensure we are marked as God's faithful today? Marked by God in Ezekiel’s Day “ ‘Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,’ said the LORD, ‘and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations committed there.’ ” (Ezekiel 9:4) The Heart God Sealed Then—and Still Seals Now • A literal remnant was spared because they felt deep anguish over societal sin. • God’s concern was not external religion but an internal response that aligned with His holiness. • The same pattern runs through Scripture: God singles out His own by an inward reality that becomes visible in conduct (2 Timothy 2:19; Revelation 7:3). Ways We Ensure We Are Marked as God’s Faithful Today 1. Cultivate Holy Grief over Sin – Refuse to grow numb; “Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15). – Keep short accounts with God through immediate confession (1 John 1:9). 2. Embrace Personal Purity – Present your body “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). – Flee sexual immorality and every defilement of body and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1). 3. Walk in Obedient Separation – “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). – Filter entertainment, relationships, and ambitions through Scripture’s lens (Psalm 101:3). 4. Bear the Seal of the Spirit – Trust Christ alone for salvation; then “you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). – Do not “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed” (Ephesians 4:30). 5. Intercede for a Corrupt Culture – Like Ezekiel’s marked remnant, stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). – Pray “first of all for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1) and plead for repentance. 6. Live Counter-Culturally with Courage – Let your light shine so plainly that people “see your good works and glorify your Father” (Matthew 5:16). – Accept ridicule as temporary; God’s approval is eternal (1 Peter 4:4-5). 7. Practice Humble Mercy and Justice – “What does the LORD require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). – Defend the unborn, the widow, the stranger—aligning with God’s heart (James 1:27). Living Out the Mark Day-to-Day • Start and finish each day in Scripture (Psalm 1:2). • Fast periodically to sharpen sorrow over sin (Joel 2:12-13). • Join a Bible-preaching church; accountability keeps the mark visible (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Memorize and meditate on passages that reinforce holiness (Psalm 119:11). Key Passages to Keep Before You Revelation 14:1 • Revelation 22:4 • 2 Peter 3:11-14 • Galatians 5:16-25 Take-Home Summary Grieving over sin, pursuing purity, walking in Spirit-empowered obedience, and standing apart from a rebellious culture are the unmistakable evidences that God has placed His mark upon us. |
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