The Consequences of Changing Behavior

Thursday, August 13, 2015
Ezekiel 18:21-28 NIV 

21 "But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 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? 24 "But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die. 25 "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? 26 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. 27 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. 28 Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What will become of the wicked person who turns from their sins back to God? Why? (v.21-23,27-28)
2) What will become of the righteous who turn from God and begin to act wickedly(sin) ? (v.24,26)
3) Are the ways of the Lord just? If so, why? (v.25)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Have you, or anyone you know, turned from the ways of righteousness to behave wickedly? If so, what will become of them, according to this passage of Scripture?

LIFE LESSONS
5) The Lord is absolutely just in expecting His people to act righteously by obeying His commands.
6) In addition to physical death, the wicked will suffer spiritual death (separation from God).
7) The Lord promises to restore those who have forsaken wickedness and turned to righteousness.