Ezekiel 17-19
God’s greatest desire is for all people to
turn to Him and to have a loving relationship with Him. Like a loving husband
He wants a loving committed relationship and does not tolerate His people
running after every idol in the land. If we will remain in a relationship with
Him, He will never leave us or forsake us. But if we turn from Him, we will
face His wrath. "Do I take any
pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I
not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23,
NIV)
In Ezekiel 18, God says that a
wicked person who turns from their sin and turns to Him will be will be
forgiven and will live. But He also says that if a righteous man turns from his
righteousness and turns to wickedness, his righteous acts will not be remember
for He will die for his sin. God does not want any to perish but for all to
have eternal life. But our choices have consequences. God pleads with people to
turn away from their sin and to turn to Him. He gives us free will and we have
to choose to follow. When we do God empowers us to continue in Him, though we
still have the choice to leave. "Rid
yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a
new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the
death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!" (Ezekiel
18:31-32, NIV)
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter
told the people “Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and
your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will
call.”" (Acts 2:38-39, NIV) God is the same today as He was in Ezekiel’s
day. He is seeking a relationship with His creation. God loves us and does all
the work to pursue us for a relationship, but we have to choose to turn from
our sin and turn to Him. He is a holy God and cannot stand our sinful
rebellion, but if we will turn to Him, He will cleanse us and make us whole and
we will have a relationship with Him and eternal life.
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