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Turn away from your sins and live.
In this chapter, a foundational Christian belief is described in detail. Though the punishment during Ezekiel’s time was on a national scale, the sin that caused the punishment was individual. This is certainly the case for men like Ezekiel, Daniel, and Jeremiah who chose to follow God despite what the others around them were doing.
To some degree, I get it. The people were resentful. It was easier to blame their parents or grandparents than to take personal responsibility. There was little hope on the horizon. The wreckage that surrounded both their personal lives, as well as their national pride, was unbelievable. It was just easier to be bitter. And that’s what they did.
God wanted to make it clear. Although you may suffer because of someone else’s sin, you will only be judged for your own. Just the fact that these people were blaming others instead of repenting of their own sin nature showed a lack of understanding.
It’s a simple application. Where are you blaming others for your personal struggle? Where are you making excuses for why you aren’t spiritually connected? Is it someone else’s fault that you are not experiencing repentance and a changed heart? Jesus has accomplished your justification. No one can take that from you. Although God loves us deeply within our mess and meets us right where we are, He does not expect us to stay there, and He certainly doesn’t expect us to justify our lack of obedience.
Today is a new day. You are made right in the presence of God by Jesus Himself. The beauty of what Jesus accomplished is that there will be no excuses at the end of time. Each person will be responsible for how they lived their own life.