Practicing The Way:
Ezekiel 36:22-38 > For His Name Sake: A Biblical Pattern For Practicing The Way
Called to Himself ("For My Name Sake") > Inner Transformation ("New Heart, New Spirit") > External Witness ("The world will know")
Raimer Rojas
Raimer Rojas
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.
33 Thus says the Lord God: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt. 34 And the land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. 35 And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.
37 Thus says the Lord God: This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock. 38 Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” - Ezekiel 36:22-38 (ESV)
Ezekiel 36:22–38 is a rich prophetic passage that offers a powerful biblical lens to affirm and undergird the Practicing the Way model. The chapter paints a sweeping vision of God’s redemptive work in His people—a transformation that flows from divine initiative to human response, from inward renewal to outward witness. This aligns beautifully with the three core movements of discipleship: Be with Jesus, Become like Jesus, and Do as Jesus did. Here’s how Ezekiel 36:22–38 can serve as a biblical framework for Practicing the Way:
“It is not for your sake… but for the sake of my holy name…” (v. 22) ~ “I will take you from the nations… and bring you into your own land.” (v. 24)
God begins by calling His people back to Himself. This is a divine invitation to nearness—a call to behold His holiness, abide in His presence, and rest in His covenant faithfulness. He initiates relationship not based on merit but mercy, centering the journey of transformation in His presence and character.
Beholding Jesus: We begin with the revelation of God’s name and holiness (v. 22-23). We must see God rightly to follow Him fully.
Abiding in Jesus: God promises to bring us close (v. 24)—a picture of abiding fellowship.
Resting in Jesus: This entire initiative is by grace, not our effort. The soul finds rest not in striving but in receiving.
“I will sprinkle clean water on you… I will give you a new heart… I will put my Spirit within you…” (v. 25–27)
The second movement is inner transformation—not self-improvement, but Spirit-empowered renewal. God’s cleansing, heart transplant, and indwelling Spirit represent a total reformation of the person: thoughts, desires, and embodied action.
Renew the Mind: God cleanses and reorients us (v. 25). New patterns of thinking emerge as we align with truth.
Transform the Heart: “A new heart I will give you” (v. 26). The seat of desire and affection is transformed.
Train the Body (Discipline): “I will cause you to walk in my statutes” (v. 27). This suggests an embodied obedience shaped by spiritual habits.
“Then the nations will know that I am the Lord… I will rebuild… I will multiply… the land that was desolate shall be like the garden of Eden.” (v. 23, 33-36)
Out of internal renewal comes external witness. God’s redemptive work leads to visible transformation in the community, city, and land. This is where the people of God become a demonstration of the gospel—hospitable, vocal, and powerful in love and justice.
Make Space for the Gospel: God’s rebuilding of ruined places (v. 33) reflects restored community, hospitality, and welcome.
Proclaim the Gospel: “Then the nations will know…” (v. 23, 36). God’s reputation is made known through His people.
Demonstrate the Gospel: Fruitfulness, restoration, and multiplication (v. 35–38) are signs of God’s kingdom breaking in.
God initiates renewal not because of our merit but to display His holiness. He calls us to Himself (Be with Jesus), transforms us deeply (Become like Jesus), and then works through us to transform the world (Do as Jesus Did). Ezekiel 36 is a prophetic blueprint for this journey—a gospel-shaped pathway that mirrors Jesus’ invitation to follow Him.