But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22
None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.
23
Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live?
24
And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die.
25
You say, "The LORD'S way is not fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?
26
When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.
27
But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life;
28
since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
2007-03-18 16:00:06 · 10 answers · asked by xSoDaPoPx 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe it is saying that rather than punishing people for their sins, instead what God really wants is for that person to turn away from sinning, and if the person does so, then their sins deserve to be forgiven. Not just by God, but everyone.
2007-03-21 05:04:37 · answer #1 · answered by Boston Bluefish 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that's pretty straightforward. God doesn't delight in punishing mankind for sin, so if a wicked man repents, he will live. And yet, just because God doesn't delight in it, that doesn't mean that a righteous man can forsake righteousness and behave wickedly without consequence. (Of course, the righteous who become wicked can also repent just as the wicked man.)
You did leave out the last verses:
30“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!”
This is a warning that God is about to pass judgement and they need to get themselves right with Him. He wants all of them to "turn and live."
2007-03-18 23:11:51 · answer #2 · answered by Contemplative Chanteuse IDK TIRH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically it means that the Lord God is a fair and Just God. He will judge people ultimately by whether or not they ended up righteous. Also, God is saying that He wants everyone to end up righteous. God demands for the unjust people to tell Him where He has gone wrong in His reasoning because no wrong can be found in His judgements and mercies. God adds that He finds no pleasure in having to deal out proper justice to the wicked, and that they should repent because He has made a good way for all to obtain mercy.
2007-03-18 23:13:51 · answer #3 · answered by Shawn D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wages of sin is Death...not just physically, but spiritually as well. When you are a sinner, and you turn from your sinful ways and wholeheartedly ask for God's forgiveness, then he remembers none of your past sins, (it doesn't matter what the sin was). By the same token, if you are a "righteous" person, and you turn from your "righteousness" to sin again, God remembers none of your righteousness, and again you are doomed to die. (The good thing though, is that you can ask wholeheartedly for forgiveness again and restore your life.)
2007-03-18 23:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically it means that if a an evil man turns over a new leaf and follows God that he will be saved but if a good man turns away from God and commits evil deeds then he will not be saved.
2007-03-18 23:10:39 · answer #5 · answered by Frank Edwards 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this passage, Ezekiel further clarifies his teaching on individual responsibility for sin by answering certain questions that reflect what his audience might be thinking in response to his previous message.
Everyone is judged equitably and individually. God never enjoys condemning a person, but is just and righteous in dispensing His judgments. : )
2007-03-18 23:07:23 · answer #6 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is about the God's mercy and forgiveness of a person who turns away from sin he was formerly involved in.
2007-03-18 23:09:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it explains everything already.If your saved and you turnaway from God,you`ll die.If your a sinner and you repent and turn to God then you are saved.Maybe the passage about if you turn away and come to God you won`t die.All men have to die once.But the second death won`t have any affect on those who are saved.For there will be a second death.
2007-03-18 23:07:06 · answer #8 · answered by greenstateresearcher 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you commit sin and don't ask for forgiveness then when you die your dead and if you are good or sin and ask for forgiveness then when you die your soul shall live.
2007-03-18 23:11:18 · answer #9 · answered by Johnny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is saying that rather than punishing people for their sins, instead what G-d really wants is for that person to turn away from sinning, and if the person does so, then their sins deserve to be forgiven.
2007-03-18 23:07:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋