Ezekiel 33:10-20 – God's dealing is always just.

Ezekiel 33:10 indicates that the people of Judah in exile started to feel remorseful. In despair, they thought aloud asking, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?”  What they did elicited a comforting response from God. Ezekiel told them that, “God has no desire that they should die in their wickedness. He would rather that they repent and turn away from their wickedness. When they do, God would forgive their past and allow them to start anew.”   

From verses 12-20, Ezekiel's reminder was that everyone has a personal responsibility to live and act right before God. In his assurance, Ezekiel debunks two common false notions. Firstly, he corrects the wrong idea that once a person is saved, he is forever saved. Secondly, he sets straight the wrong idea of fatalism.

Ezekiel’s assertion is that there is a possibility of regression even for a righteous person. When a person who reckons himself righteous turns to sin and would not repent, he would have to face the consequences of his unrepentance. Grace does not immune him forever from punishment when he chooses to regress and persist in living an unrepentant life of sin.  

Conversely, a wicked person is not doomed to eternal damnation. His fate could change, so to speak. There is a possibility of repentance and regeneration. A wicked person’s past deeds will not be held against him when he repents and turns to rely on God and live a godly life. God will take note of his repentance and will forgive his sins when he repents from them.  

The issue is never about a person's righteous or wicked act but God’s righteous dealing with each of us. God is not inconsistent like men. A righteous has the potential to regress and receive his just dessert, just as much as a wicked has the potential to repent and reap his right reward.

It is comforting to note that God always deals with our response to Him in the present moment. He does not deal with us based on our past life. It is not too late to repent when we know we are walking wrongly. God has no delight in condemnation. Peter said that He is patient, and He wants all to come to repentance.