Ezekiel
18 reminds me of turning points in my life. There is little doubt in
my mind that I had the opportunity to experience both cool and awful
stuff as a child. My own dad was many things; he was a crane
operator, race car builder and driver, boat owner, and brawler. He
drank to excess and was abusive. He was mostly absent from the home
that I knew and eventually left completely. As young children we do
not know we have a choice, but as a youth I gravitated toward
families with loving parents and that made a difference in me. I
also had the great fortune of having older brothers to observe. I
was able to learn from their successes and failures too. In today’s
chapter God deals with those that argue against freewill. Both then
and now people claim they have no choice. Many believed, “The
parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge“,
meaning the children suffered for what their fathers did. Ironically
today many parents even take on their children’s burden. God
clarifies this sad misunderstanding with a hard answer, “The
one who sins is the one who will die“.
Are you blaming someone else for the decisions you make today?
God
gives an example of a “righteous
man who does what is just and
right.” He cites many
examples, “he
does not defile his neighbor’s
wife… does not oppress anyone… does not commit robbery… gives
his food to the hungry… withholds his hand from doing wrong“.
He notes this man “follows My
decrees and faithfully keeps
My laws… he will surely live“.
I don’t believe God is saying good people will live forever, but
it is true that violent associations will exposes us to more dangers.
Do not miss the next line, “Suppose
he has a violent son, who sheds blood“.
Children of violence and children of harmony have choices. “Because
he has done all these detestable things… his blood will be on his
own head“.
Next
God gives the other example of a son “who
sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he
does not do such things“. God
says plainly, “He will not die
for his father’s sin“.
Sociologists try to excuse behavior on environment, “Why
does the son not share the guilt of his father?”
Parent; hear this, “The child
will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the
guilt of the child… the wickedness of the wicked will be charged
against them“.
Friend, here is God’s justice, “if
a wicked person turns away from all the sins… None of the offenses
they have committed will be remembered against them“.
We may have legal problems to settle, or physical consequences that
result, but Spiritually God sees the repentant as innocent. Some
will still say, “The way of the
Lord is not just“. God
answers, “I will judge each of
you according to your own ways“,
but He adds, “Turn away from
all your offenses“. How?
“Get a new heart and a new
spirit… For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone… Repent and
live!“
Today I am not perfect, but I
am forgiven. Galatians chapter 3 explains the Savior took the
punishment of our sin so that we could be forgiven. “The
righteous will live by faith…
Christ redeemed us from the
curse of the law by becoming a curse for us… in order that the
blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ
Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit…
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith“.
Today can be a turning point for you too. Will you trust the
sociologist, or the Word of God?