Ezekiel 18:23 ESV
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
This chapter has three underlying principles. It is written in the context of the Mosaic Covenant that promised Israel blessing for obedience and a curse for disobedience. Because God has been slow to send judgment a parable has become popular: "The father eats grapes and the son's teach are set on edge." God has given the people time to repent. They have mistaken his mercy for slowness. Assuming that they would not have to pay for their own sin they have continued on in sin. They seem to care little that future generations will pay for their misconduct. But God has other plans.
God warns Ezekiel that from that point on each person will give account to God for their own sin. He will no longer hold off judgment. But the underlying principle goes further than that. The truth is that every person will one day stand before the judge to answer for their own sins. We can't blame others. We can't blame the system. We can't blame God. God takes no pleasure in our sin and he takes no pleasure in our judgment, but neither will he look the other way and ignore our sin. Each person will give answer to God for their own actions.
The good news is that each person has the option of turning from their sin. Avoiding judgment is not a matter of living a perfect life. We've all failed at that. No, it is a matter of turning from your sin to accept God's forgiveness. Anyone who turns from their sin, no matter how bad they have been, can find God's life. The offer is there, "should he not turn from his sin and live?"
Why would God offer forgiveness? That doesn't sound fair. The truth is that if God were fair then we would all be judged, but God takes no pleasure in judging sin. "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?" God takes pleasure in offering forgiveness, but he cannot deny his justice.
Three underlying principles in this chapter call us to faith in Christ. Each person will personally answer to God for their sin. Each person has the opportunity to turn from their sin. God offers forgiveness. It is through him that we are able to turn from our sin. It is because of him that God offers forgiveness. It is in him that we find life. Each of us will answer to God for what we have done with our lives. Will you turn to Christ today?
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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