Ezekiel 18 is an evangelism tract from God Himself. It is so full of frankness. How simple is this:
“It is only the person who sins that shall die.” - Ezekiel 18:4
That’s all?
The Gospel is only of interest for the person who has ever sinned. So… Have you ever broken any of God’s laws? Isn’t that like saying something like I only do so on days that end in “Y.”
So every human on earth needs to be honest with “self” for at least a minute. I could simply ask myself, “Have I ever done any bad deed? Have I ever broken any divine law? In my personal minute of honesty I will answer, “Um, yes.” So I am the one responsible for my own life or death, in this sense.
Let’s Walk Through This
If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right (v. 5) - … such a one is righteous; he shall surely live. (v. 9)
But, will his son live because of His dad’s righteousness? Nope.
If he has a son (v. 11)… who does any of these things (v. 12)… shall he then live? He shall not… he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. (v. 13)
Now, many Christians would be tempted to dismiss this because, well, Jesus. He is our righteousness after all. So Let’s just be grateful that we don’t have to do all that stuff. Look at the straightforward nature of this message. Who will surely live? The one who is righteous and does what is lawful and right.
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. - Jacob (James) 2:17
But let’s not stop at this. There is more good news. And bad news.
Basically, the righteousness of the righteous will be his own and the wickedness of the wicked shall be his own.
If a wicked man turns (shuva) and does right - he lives. Get this: None of his transgressions will be remembered.
Good Grief
What do the mockers say when they seek to elevate themselves above God? They often imply that the Creator of mankind seeks to punish His creation, that He somehow enjoys the process of the wages that sin brings - judgement and death. But God Himself makes it clear in verses 23 and 32. Mockers, let yourself be honest long enough to hear the words of these passages of scripture.
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord Yahweh; “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live? (v. 23)
For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Therefore turn yourselves, and live! (v. 32)
God Is Good
I love this chapter, as the truth of sin and salvation are here and the answers to two main objections to the Gospel. Here is that second objection and how God deals with it.
“you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair!’ Listen, now, house of Israel, is my way not fair? Is it not your ways that are not fair?
When the righteous turns from his righteousness, and he does injustice, then he will die because of them; because of his injustice that he did he will die!
And when the wicked turns from his wickedness that he did and he does justice and righteousness, he will preserve his life.
And if he sees and he returns from all of his transgressions that he did, surely he will live; he will not die!
And yet they, the house of Israel, say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair!’ Are not my ways fair, house of Israel? Are not your ways unfair? - verses 25-29
So if a person has righteousness, he lives - forever.
If a person sins, he dies. - His own choice.
But: If a sinner turns (repent/shuva) and keeps Gods ways: (and I LOVE this)
All of his transgressions that he committed will not be remembered against him. - v. 22
A Loving Warning
As you can see, in verse 26 above, the righteous one can turn (shuva) in a bad way. The righteous one who turns to lawlessness will die and, in the same way a repentant sinner’s sins will be forgotten, he will have his righteous ways forgotten. That’s what it says. I know that many of my friends have hung their hats on a strong belief in “once saved, always saved.” Many perceive this idea of righteous people walking away from grace as impossible and that the notion is anathema. If you are one of those people, I simply will let you wrestle with this doctrine. If you will take my suggestion, please don’t just pass it off as an “Old Testament” doctrine.
Grace existed before the cross.
It is plainly stated that sins will be forgotten with repentance and faithful belief. Don’t miss the beauty of these passages.
We are each accountable for our sins - not those of our fathers.
We are each offered the grace of God, who wishes that we receive it.
We should all take heed to follow after God’s instructions and practice good works in faithful service to Him.
This is the life that we can celebrate - eternal and in His presence.
I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways,” declares the Lord Yahweh. “Repent and turn around from all of your transgression, and it will not be as a stumbling block of iniquity to you.
Throw away from yourselves all of your transgressions that you committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and new spirit, and so why will you die, house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of the dying,” declares the Lord Yahweh. “And so repent and live!” (v. 30-32 LEB)