To read Ezekiel 18 and then Psalm 98 right after one another was an astonishing revelation. My Bible reading plan had me do that because I’m reading through the Psalms one at a time as I read through multiple chapters in the prophets. I’m sure the connection of Ezekiel 18 and Psalm 98 was “coincidental.”
Ezekiel 18 is God’s defense of his way of judging, that it is just. I think we would normally be frightened by this chapter because it explains the judgment of the wicked that is both ongoing and coming on the last day (cf. 1 Peter 1:17). When Ezekiel 18 is immediately followed by Psalm 98, though, the truth is obvious.
The judgment of the wicked sets all things right. It brings the justice that the earth and its peoples cannot provide. It is a day of rejoicing, when the wicked are punished, and the righteous are permanently set free from the troubles of this life.
Let’s be the righteous, not the wicked. Ezekiel 18 describes the actions of the righteous thoroughly–James 1:26-27 provides the short version–and describes the actions of the wicked as simply not doing what the righteous do.
What I would like to see happen is that we take note of Ezekiel 18 and Psalm 98 and, rather than rejecting them as “Old Testament principles,” seeing that the judgment of the wicked is central to Jesus’ and the apostles’ teaching. I have pointed out 1 Peter 1:17 and James 1:26-27, but it is so important to realize that Paul’s letter to the Romans begins by laying a foundation of Ezekiel 18 principles. Romans 1 ends by saying that those who do such things are worthy of death (v. 32). Romans 2 begins by saying those who “patiently continue to do good” will be repaid with eternal life (v. 7).
Paul does not spend the rest of Romans contradicting the foundation he laid in chapters 1 and 2. Instead, he explains how to become part of the righteousness that is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17), and to live as proof that the Gospel is the power of God to salvation (Romans 1:16), by the favor (grace) that moves us from ungodliness and worldly lusts to new creations who are zealous for good works (Tit. 2:11-14; cf. also Eph. 2:10).
Let’s teach these things with the authority of Jesus that he gave to Paul and Timothy, not letting anyone despise us (Tit. 2:15)
There are a lot of opinions and rumors about Constantine, the Council of Nicea, and the events of the fourth century that changed Christianity to Christendom. Not only will you get the incredible story, with all its twists, plots, and intrigues, but you will find out how history is done and never wonder what is true again.
The Rest of the Old, Old Story 
I was just talking about that with someone. I tell people to read Mark first because it was the first of the Gospels. Matthew and Luke had access to it and expanded on it.
Then read Acts because that continues the story of the Gospels. Mark is the story of Jesus, and Acts is the story of the apostles, though primarily the apostle Paul.
You can also do Luke then Acts because Luke wrote both books, so that would be more smooth. Or you can do Matthew then Acts just because you like Matthew better for some reason. That would all be the same.
After that, I would alternate letters and Old Testament books, but there are a LOT of options. If you get YouVersion on your phone, you can find all sorts of annual reading plans. I would suppose the Bible Gateway app does the same.
My first point, is to really get one of the first three Gospels and the Book of Acts before you read the epistles, and especially before you read John which is so unique. Sometimes we act like the Bible is all one book, but it’s not. It is very important to know the difference between the way John writes and the way all the other apostles write. John’s way of thinking is not just unique, it is important and critical, but if you interpret the rest of the New Testament writers as though they were John, you will misinterpret them (like so many American Christians do).
Here are the two biggies:
1. John lives in the present tense. He writes as though what is true now always has been true and always will be true. This teaches us that if we move from being in love with Jesus and making the world to be only the slightest influence on us to being influenced strongly by the world, then we move from being in the state of knowing to God to being like one who does not know God. The first epistle of John is short, and you can see this clearly in that letter, but the Gospel of John is just like it.
2. John speaks of “eternal life” as the current possession of the believer because he knows that the life of Jesus is eternal life. Other writers, though, distinguish between the life of Jesus as it is in us as Christians, just calling it “life,” and speak of “eternal life” as a reward for doing good (e.g., Rom. 2:6-7; Matt. 25:31-46–the judgment of the sheep and the goats).
Finally, you do have to read the Old Testament eventually, and it will shed a LOT of light on the New Testament writings, but do start with one Gospel, not John’s, then read Acts, then go anywhere you want with that foundation. It will save you from problem evangelicals have with the Bible because they have you read John first, then misinterpret everything else because you think they are writing like John.
Hey Paul, what’s a good place to start with the Bible. I feel lost every time I attempt a read. People are constantly quoting passages which makes me feel as if I missed the point. —- Wayne