Live or Die

Prologue

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 1 John 5:16

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10

One Who Sins Dies;
One Who Repents and
Remains Righteous Lives

Ezekiel 18:1-9

The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel:

               “‘The parents eat sour grapes,
and the children’s teeth are set on edge’?

“As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

“Suppose there is a righteous man
who does what is just and right.
HE DOES NOT EAT AT THE MOUNTAIN SHRINES
OR LOOK TO THE IDOLS OF ISRAEL
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.
He does not oppress anyone,
but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
but gives his food to the hungry
and provides clothing for the naked.
He does not lend to them at interest
or take a profit from them.
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
and judges fairly between two parties.
He follows my decrees
and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;
he will surely live,
declares the Sovereign Lord.

Continue Reading: verses 10-24

Epilogue

Ezekiel 18:25-32

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life. Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die. Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own 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, PEOPLE OF ISRAEL? FOR ITAKE NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF ANYONE, declares the Sovereign Lord. REPENT AND LIVE!

N. B. All Scripture taken from New International Version (by BibleGateway.com)