The Soul that Sins shall Die, but ......

DAY 60
Ezekiel 12:21 -23:39

Ezekiel 18:4 "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die"

Ezekiel 18 is an interesting chapter of the Bible. And it speaks plainly about the consequences of sin. The consequences of sin is death.

Later in verse 20, the writer explains in more detail.

"The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him."

It explains the each person is responsible and accountable for their own sin. While the consequences of our sins may affect future generations, we alone are accountable to God for the sin itself. But we know from Isaiah 64:6 that we are all unclean, and that our righteousness is like filthy rags.

As a result, we have a problem. Our own righteousness is not good enough. We have not been careful to keep all the decrees of God. Therefore, our wickedness will be charged against us. And the soul who sins is the one will die.

As we read further we find the character of God in verses 23.

"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?"

God doesn't take pleasure in the death of any of His children. He would rather see them repent, turn from their ways and live.

In verses 30-32, God even explains what is needed to live.

“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 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!

A new heart and a new spirit! That is the solution to our problem. And the only one that can give you a new heart and a new spirit is God himself.

Ezekiel 36:26 "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

So we need somebody else's righteousness, a new heart, and a new spirit!
It sounds like we need a gift from God.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"

And with that gift comes a righteousness that fulfills God's requirements.

Romans 3:20-24 "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus

And with that righteousness comes a new heart full of mercy and grace.
And with that righteousness come a new spirit that will be eternal.

The Soul that Sins shall Die, but if the righteousness from God through faith in Jesus is applied then your are justified and given a new heart and a new spirit.