Ezekiel 18:30-32

Ezekiel 18:30-32 (ESV): “30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.””

God has one desire for all of humanity: that every individual would repent and turn to Him. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but longs for them to turn and live.

Ezekiel was given a specific word about a popular proverb of his day: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” This proverb was used by those who felt they were being unjustly punished for sins they did not commit. But the Lord declared, “Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.” God then pleaded through Ezekiel that sinners would repent and live, and that the righteous would remain faithful. The Lord desires to save, not to condemn!

Did you know that one day you will stand before God and give an account for your life? You will not answer for the sins of others but for your own. Nor will you be able to enter heaven on someone else’s coattails. Every person will stand before God and give an answer. The Lord desires that you would turn to Him before it’s too late. He wants you to live! If you’ve already done this, then keep living for Him. The day is coming—turn to the Lord and live while you still can. Amen?

Father, You alone are our Judge. Speak to our hearts and reveal where we stand with You. If we are walking strong, keep us from falling. If we need to turn—or return—to You, let it be so. Show us how we should respond. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.