Here is an interesting comparison which we find in 2 Corinthians of the New Testament scriptures.
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. - 2 Corinthians 3:2-3
We often hear a Christian’s life spoken of as an example and witness to unbelievers. And this is what the Christian life is, and it is to be a good example. Specifically, according to the apostle Paul, the Christian life is as a letter which is read by all men.
What does your letter say? What do men come to know and understand by observing your life? There are many who will never read the epistles (letters) of Paul and the other Apostles, but these same people will see your life.
And now let us see a quote from J.C. Ryle on this subject, from his book titled “Holiness” (Hebrews 12:14)
“I believe there is more harm done by unholy and inconsistent Christians than we are at all aware of. Such men are among Satan’s best allies. They pull down by their lives what ministers build with there lips. … They supply the children of this world with a never ending excuse for remaining as they are. “I cannot see the use of so much religion,” said an irreligious tradesman not long ago; “I observe that some of my customers are always talking about the gospel and faith and election and the blessed promises and so forth, and yet these very same people think nothing of cheating me …when they have the opportunity. Now, if religious persons can do such things, I do not see what good there is in religion.” I grieve to be obliged to write such things, but I fear that Christ’s name is too often blasphemed because of the lives of Christians. Let us take heed lest the blood of souls should be required at our hands. From murder of souls by inconsistency and loose walking, good Lord, deliver us! Oh, for the sake of others, if for no other reason, let us be holy!” - from ISBN# 9781611043433, page 5
Many can relate to this. Who has not heard unbelievers cite the wickedness of professed Christians as an excuse for they themselves to remain in sin?
In the last sentence quoted above we desire to be Holy for the sake of leading others to Christ. We desire to be Holy for the sake of God himself and the Love we have for Him. For by leading more men to Christ, God shall be glorified by more men. We must see that the second greatest commandment (Love thy neighbor) proceeds from the first (Love God) (Matthew 22:35-40). For many a man has claimed to act for the sake of man’s benefit, while spitting in the face of Almighty God (Eugenicists, Roman Catholics, Adolf Hitler and his Nazis, Transhumanism, and Genetically Modified Organisms come to mind). You cannot keep the second greatest commandment without properly keeping the first. Our utmost prayer being that we cause not any man to blaspheme our Saviour or to influence them contrary to the will of God.
Now it must be added that the epistle of our life does not fulfill our requirement to witness given by Mat 28:19-20 (Chick Tracts can help anyone do that).
Now let us notice 2 Corinthians 3:3, which serves to us as a proof given by the Apostle Paul that the prophecy written by Ezekiel inEzekiel 11:19 and 36:26 has been and is fulfilled in the saints, and by the Church of God, as this is to whom Paul is writing, which we see evidenced by his beginning to this letter in 2 Corinthians 1:1.
Now we see that it is by the Holy spirit and the heart of flesh we are given that we are able to live our lives as the epistle to men which Paul describes.
This Christian walk is also seen and related in many other ways to the events and circumstances described in Ezekiel chapter 36.
In Ezekiel 36:24 when Israel is gathered from the heathen unto their own land, this is as the Christian gathered from the Kingdom of this world (whom the prince of darkness rules (Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4) and brought into the Kingdom of God.
In Ezekiel 36:25 the Lord sprinkles clean water on Israel and declares that they shall be clean from filthiness, and all Idols. Does not this seem to relate to the baptism which we receive for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)?
In Ezekiel 36:26 the cleaning of Ezekiel 36:25 is followed by the receiving of a new spirit and a heart of flesh. And what does this new spirit do? We see in Ezekiel 36:27 that it causes us to walk in the Lord’s statutes and to keep his judgments.
This new spirit here described is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, which leads us to do the will of God by bringing to our remembrance all things whatsoever he has taught us (John 14:26,Romans 8:14, 1 John 3:24, Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10-13,12:24).
In Ezekiel 36:28 we see Israel receiving the Land of Israel as was promised to them. To us as Christians this is as our inheriting of the Kingdom of God as is promised to those who are born again by believing in Christ the Saviour of the world, the only begotten Son of God (John 14:6, 3:1-36).
In Ezekiel 36:31 Israel shall remember their evil ways and loath themselves for their sins and abominations. This is the same response Christians have as they bring to remembrance and view in their minds eye the life they formerly lived. Even as they live the Christian life they will view themselves this way, at least to a point (Isaiah 64:6, Romans chapter 7). For we will not be perfect while we yet live in the flesh, so we wisely view ourselves humbly as nothing, and unworthy of Gods Grace. For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Yet we live not as defeated, but as overcomers, striving to win the race that we may inherit incorruption, when we depart for heaven putting off this body of corruption (Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:50, 1 John 5:4-5, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1).
Now I end this comparison with Ezekiel 36:32 and Ezekiel 36:36. In these verses God declares to Israel that they will not be blessed because they have merited it, for they deserve nothing but destruction because of their iniquities (vs.32). Rather God does what he does because He is Sovereign, and so that all men see that He alone is God and that He alone is Glorified (vs. 36). This also is the case with us as followers of Christ. For we are chosen recipients of Grace from the beginning, elected to Salvation for the purpose of God, that He may be Glorified, for only He is worthy of praise and honor. It is only for His purpose that he has called us from darkness into the marvelous light. Had he not called us and filled us it would be impossible for us to do any good thing whatsoever (2 Timothy 1:9-10, Hebrews 13:20-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, John 13:18, 15:16-19, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 17:14, Ephesians 2:8, Ephesians 1:4-12, Romans 8:28, etcetera).
For God…Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: - 2 Timothy 1:9-10
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. - Psalm 40:1-8