READING: Ezekiel 17:1-20:32, James 2:14-3:18
“Turn away from your sin and trust God!”
That’s the call we are privileged to extend to our neighbors and the nations. We do that because that’s the heart of God, as Ezekiel 18 makes clear. God pronounced judgment on those who chose to live wickedly, but He also offered forgiveness to those who turned from their sin and did what is right; indeed, “that person will surely live; they will not die” (Ezek 18:28). And, twice in this chapter are we reminded that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek 18:23, 32). He does not delight when unrepentant sinners die. Nor should we.
God made it possible through Christ that we might be saved. He offers us eternal life, especially important to us when life in this world has often been so chaotic. When God offers all of us such a gift, I suspect He might ask of us something similar to what He asked of the Hebrews: “Why will you die, people of Israel?” (Ezek 18:31). Why would we choose to die in our sin and suffer eternal judgment when God has made a way out—when He has expressed His willingness to forgive us if we repent and believe?
We should long for people to know this God who so graciously offers us forgiveness and restoration. Under divine obligation and godly concern, we should echo the words of Ezekiel 18:32—“Repent and live!”
PRAYER: “Father, help me to teach others the gospel today. Grant them life.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Speak to at least one person about God’s grace today.
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 20:33-22:31, James 4-5