32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” Ezekiel 18:32
A few days ago our youngest son turned 15. In the state of Georgia you can get your leaners permit to drive at this age. So very early on his birthday we got up and traveled to the D.M.V. to take his test. John passed the test!!! This is where the turn began. Since then, everywhere we have traveled we have a new driver. It has been fund to sit back and let someone else do the driving.
Question: “Who is doing the driving in your life?”
In Ezekiel 18 the issue before us is the issue of God’s judgment and man’s responsibility. The proverb of the day was this, “It’s not my fault.” Israel was facing God’s judgment and she was trying to shift responsibility to her forefathers.
Here is what we know:
- The Lord is completely sovereign in the lives of all men. 18:4
- The Lord gives all men clear standards to live by. 18:5-20
- If a man is righteous, he or she will be given life.
- If a man is unrighteous, he or she will be judged.
Each person is responsible for their own actions. Paul wrote the following in Romans 2:9-10
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
- The Lord is completely sinless in judging the lives of all men. 18:30-32
Here is what we need to know:
God desires for all men to turn from their sin (headed to the grave and hell). God desires for all men to turn to Jesus (receive the grace of God), Ephesians 2:8-9.
Israel refused to turn and drove themselves into the grave of destruction and it was their own decision. This is why Ezekiel laments in chapter 19. But they could have turned to the Lord.
It is just like Sherry and I giving the keys to John to drive. We now are being directed instead of directing. Oh that men would ride with King Jesus.
I challenge each reader to ride with Jesus at the wheel today!!!