Ezekiel 33:10-16, 20

※Verses 10-11: Because of our sins, we have no choice but to die (Romans 6:23). However, no matter how great a sin we may have committed, the word of verse 11 above becomes our hope. Therefore, we should instead confess our sins and repent according to the word of Jesus. As verse 11 says, our God does not delight in the death of the wicked, but always delights when the wicked turn back and live.

※Verses 14-16: No matter how great a sinner may be, if he humbly repents like the people of Nineveh who heard Jonah’s preaching (Jonah 3) and once again obeys the words of Jesus, he can live again. The Bible has taught us the way to receive forgiveness of sins as follows.

Acts 10:43-45 “43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
1 John 2:12 “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.”

As the passages above say, when we ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus and turn back according to the words of Jesus, Jesus forgives our sins and allows us to receive life again. This is because there is “life” in the words of Jesus.

Deuteronomy 32:46-47 “46And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. 47For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.”

※Verses 13 and 20: Even if God has said, “You shall live,” if a person trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of that righteousness will be remembered, and because of the iniquity he has committed, he will have no choice but to die. When we believe in Jesus, God counts it as righteousness for us (Romans 4:3, Galatians 2:16). However, if after receiving that grace, even while saying that we believe in Jesus, we depart from the words written in the Bible and walk according to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16), then we will have no choice but to be judged again because of the sins we have committed.

Hebrews 6:4-8 “4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”

Jesus, whose second coming we await, will come and reward every person according to his works (Obadiah 1:15, Matthew 16:27, Revelation 22:10-12). That He will reward each person according to his works means that He is watching all our actions (Proverbs 24:12, Revelation 2:23). He watches all things concerning us, and He will reward those who patiently continue in doing good, while He will judge those who do evil.

Romans 2:6-11 “6Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Therefore, among us, there is no one who can say, “I have already attained,” or “I have already obtained.” According to the word of 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall,” we must live with humble faith, pressing toward the mark every day until the day we meet Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 “12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Now, until Jesus appears again and gives us praise, glory, and honor, and until He gives us the salvation prepared to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5-9), we must run the race that is set before us by faith (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1).

1 Peter 1:17 “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”
Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

As the passages above say, while we live in this world, we must live humbly with fear, that is, with reverent awe before Jesus, who is able to give us both “life” and “judgment.” And now, in each of our daily lives, we must seek to know how we can please Jesus and do the things that please Him, that is, the things that give glory to the name of Jesus. This is so that we may receive a reward before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 “9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
2 Chronicles 15:7 “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”