Ezekiel:18

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* Verse 1-20 - The soul that sinneth it shall die . As to eternity , every man was , is , and will be dealt with , as his conduct shows him to have been under the old covenant of works , or the new covenant of grace . Whatever outward sufferings come upon men through the sins of others , they deserve for their own sins all they suffer ; and the Lord overrules every event for the eternal good of believers . All souls are in the hand of the great Creator : he will deal with them in justice or mercy ; nor will any perish for the sins of another , who is not in some sense worthy of death for his own . We all have sinned , and our souls must be lost , if God deal with us according to his holy law ; but we are invited to come to Christ . If a man who had shown his faith by his works , had a wicked son , whose character and conduct were the reverse of his parent 's , could it be expected he should escape the Divine vengeance on account of his father 's piety ? Surely not . And should a wicked man have a son who walked before God as righteous , this man would not perish for his father 's sins . If the son was not free from evils in this life , still he should be partaker of salvation . The question here is not about the meritorious ground of justification , but about the Lord 's dealings with the righteous and the wicked . * Verse 21-29 - The wicked man would be saved , if he turned from his evil ways . The true penitent is a true believer . None of his former transgressions shall be mentioned unto him , but in the righteousness which he has done , as the fruit of faith and the effect of conversion , he shall surely live . The question is not whether the truly righteous ever become apostates . It is certain that many who for a time were thought to be righteous , do so , while ver .26 ,27 speaks the fulness of pardoning mercy : when sin is forgiven , it is blotted out , it is remembered no more . In their righteousness they shall live ; not for their righteousness , as if that were an atonement for their sins , but in their righteousness , which is one of the blessings purchased by the Mediator . What encouragement a repenting , returning sinner has to hope for pardon and life according to this promise ! In verse28 is the beginning and progress of repentance . True believers watch and pray , and continue to the end , and they are saved . In all our disputes with God , he is in the right , and we are in the wrong . * Verse 30-32 - The Lord will judge each of the Israelites according to his ways . On this is grounded an exhortation to repent , and to make them a new heart and a new spirit . God does not command what cannot be done , but admonishes us to do what is in our power , and to pray for what is not . Ordinances and means are appointed , directions and promises are given , that those who desire this change may seek it from God . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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