Life Through Repentance

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 18:19-32

 

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(NKJV)

 

We live in a culture where being a victim is an excuse for deviant behavior. Sadly, the use of victimization leads to one not turning from their sins to God through repentance and instead finding comfort in using their status as a victim as an excuse for their behavior. Apparently, a similar victim mentality was prevalent in Judah at the time of Ezekiel, leading to the refuting of a parable teaching each person was on edge due to the sins of their fathers (Ezekiel 18:1-3). The Biblical truth is that everyone is responsible for his or her own sins and has a path to salvation through Christ.

 

Due to the belief in the refuted proverb, the people of Judah believed a son shall bear the guilt of his father’s sin even though the son has kept all the Lord’s commandments (Ezekiel 18:19). The word of the Lord goes on to say that the soul who sins shall die with the son not bearing the guilt of his father (Ezekiel 18:20). The word goes on to teach that if a wicked man turns from his sins and lives obediently to the Lord, none of his previous transgressions will be remembered and he shall live (Ezekiel 18:21-22). It is not the Lord’s desire that any die in their sins (Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9). However if a righteous man turns from his righteousness to commit sin, should he live because of his prior righteousness? The answer is no for just as the wicked acts of one turning to righteousness are forgotten, so are the righteous acts of one turning to wickedness (Ezekiel 18:24).

 

Yet, people in the time of Ezekiel claimed the Lord was unfair in not holding one responsible for the sins of their father. It is their belief that is unfair with the Lord fair in holding each individual responsible for his or her own sin (Ezekiel 18:25). The fairness of the Lord is his holding each individual responsible for his or her own sin and not to seek asylum in the excuse of being a victim of the sins of their father (Ezekiel 18:26-28). The Lord invites Judah to rethink their definition of fairness and realize their thinking is unfair with God’s ways fair (Ezekiel 18:29)

 

God reminds the people of Judah that He will judge everyone according to his own ways and tells them to repent, turning from their iniquities so they do not die in them (Ezekiel 18:30). God commands them to repent and turn from their transgressions and receive a new heart and spirit of righteousness for there is no need for them to die in their iniquities (Ezekiel 18:31). The passage ends with another reminder that God does not want anyone to die in their sin (Ezekiel 18:32; 2 Peter 3:9).

 

In Ezekiel 18:1-3, the Lord spoke through Ezekiel, refuting a proverb teaching that children were on edge and responsible for the sins of their fathers. In Ezekiel 18:4-18, the Lord speaks through Ezekiel's teaching that it is possible for one who is the son of a righteous man to turn against God and for his son to turn against the sins of his father to righteousness. The word of God provides an example of this in King Josiah, a righteous king in Judah. Josiah’s father was Amon, who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 21:19-22). Josiah brought about great reforms in Judah, turning the nation back to Godliness by restoring true worship and celebration of the Passover (2 Chronicles 34-35). Then the Egyptians appointed Eliakim king of Judah, changing his name to Jehoiakim, a king who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:1-5). Each of these kings made a choice to either follow or reject Godliness.

 

Unfortunately, there is a victim mentality present in our culture that uses the sins or mistakes of one’s parents or even the absence of parental influence in their lives as an excuse for sinful and wicked behavior. If anyone is reading this post and uses their parental influence, or lack thereof as an excuse for wicked behavior, I urge you to stop for you stand at a fork in the road and must choose whether to remain in your sinful state or repent and turn to Christ. All individuals have sinned (Romans 3:23) and live under a death penalty (Romans 6:23). Choose the way of life and eternal life for God loves you and made a path to righteousness (John 3:16-18).

 

It is not just kings, but everyone who must make his or her choice either to follow Godliness or evil in his or her life. Jesus came to take the judgment of sin upon himself (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8, 6:23) so that each individual can have a choice to receive forgiveness from sin and a personal relationship with God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. If you have not done so, I invite anyone reading this who has not prayed to receive forgiveness from sin and a personal relationship with God through Christ to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.