“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 18:20-21)
This is powerful! This may be the clearest demonstration of God’s grace and man’s personal responsibility in the Old Testament. After a fairly lengthy and clear explanation that man is accountable for his own sin and that God offers life to the repentant, Ezekiel offers this summary statement, to which I have matched New Testament parallels.
- The soul that sins shall die. (The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23)
- The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. (“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10)
- But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. (The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19)
Thank you, Father, for offering forgiveness. Please help me to have a heart of repentance. Amen.
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