Ezekiel 18:26-29 – “When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.”
When Jesus showed up on the scene, many Jewish people thought he was contradicting God’s law. They saw the Old Testament as proof that they were God’s chosen people and nothing could change that. If you are a Jew, you are in with God. Reading today’s passage helps us see that the Old Testament really sets the stage for Jesus’ coming. God is making it clear that being born into a certain family doesn’t save you. You have to either turn from sin or die from it.
What’s fascinating is the idea that the people of Israel disagreed with God on this. Isn’t it wrong to punish people for their sins? Come on, God, we’re your chosen people! It’s not right. Many people think similar things today. Is there really a hell? Would a loving God really send people into eternal punishment?
Here’s your freedom for today:
God desires you to have life.
In today’s chapter, verse 23 shows us that God doesn’t want anyone to die. He’s giving us chance after chance at life. But he won’t force us to take it. People can choose evil. And not just murder evil. All kinds of evil that stems from a life apart from God. He’s here, he’s for you, he’s cheering you on and calling you over to himself. But he’s just too kind and gentle to force you to love him. You have to decide that for yourself.