Ezekiel 18:24

Ezekiel 18:24

    Some would use this verse to teach that a true believer can turn away and be lost.  That is not the message of the verse, however.  There is a righteousness that is not righteous.  Note Isa. 64:6.There we are told that our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.  Those riughteousnesses are plural, meaning our righteous deeds.  In other words all those things we might do to try to be righteous in our selves are but filthy rags in God's sight. Turning away from such self reformation, however, brings agravated guilt.  Often the latter end is more wicked than the first.  The text says that his righteousness shall not be mentioned.

    The truth is that those who are truly righteous are not so in themselves.  We have no righteousness of our own.  Paul said that in his flesh no good thing dwelt.  We certainly are not any better.  Any righteousness we have is imputed righteousness.  As in 2 Cor. 5:21 all our sins are laid on Jesus and He became sin for us; likewise in turn all of His righteousness is accounted or imputed to us so that we become the righteousness of God in Him.  Those who are thus truly righteous, however, will not continue to practice sin.

    In grace do not obscure the warning.  God does chasten His children.  He may bring sickness, affliction, or disaster to the life of a believer who persists in sin.  In 1 John 5:16 we are told of a sin nnto death.  All sin is toward death, but sometimes a believer may persist in sin until God takes him home ahead of time,.

    Verses 27, 28 call on the sinner to repent and turn from his wicked way.  If he will do so, grace offers him life  For the unbeliever who is dead in trespasses and sins, this is a blessed and gracious promise.