Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them. “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. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 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?

— Ezekiel 18:19-23

~~~~~

Your Sins Are Your Own

By Jennifer Kane

Your sins are yours,

No one else can claim them.

You may cry out about the wounds inflicted upon you,

The weight of wrongs done to your soul,

But your guilt is not born from their cruelty.

Your sins are your responsibility.

Yet you wonder,

“Should I not share the guilt of my ancestors?

Do their mistakes not stain me?”

No, says the Lord of justice,

“The one who does what is right,

Who walks in My ways,

That one will surely live.”

The soul that sins is the one that will perish.

No child will bear the guilt of their parent.

No parent will shoulder the sins of their child.

Each stands alone before Me.

The righteous will find their reward in righteousness;

The wicked will face the weight of their deeds.

But hear this promise:

When the wicked turn,

When they lay down their rebellion

And step into My light,

Their sins will no longer follow them.

Their crimes will fade like a shadow at dawn.

None of their offenses will be remembered—

Not by Me.

Can you see My heart?

Do you imagine I delight in destruction?

Do I rejoice in the death of the wicked?

No!

My joy is found in their return,

When they abandon the path of ruin

And choose life.

I wait with open arms,

Longing for their repentance,

For them to leave their chains behind

And step into freedom.

So turn now, while there is time.

Turn from the darkness you’ve embraced,

From the bitterness you’ve nursed,

From the lies you’ve believed.

Turn and live.

I am not a God of condemnation,

But a God who loves justice and mercy.

I am slow to anger,

Abounding in steadfast love.

I do not ask you to bear the burdens of others’ guilt,

But only to turn your heart toward Me,

To walk in the light,

And to live.

~~~~~

Scriptures: Ezekiel 18:19-23

Ezekiel 18 addresses a critical misconception among the Isrealites: the belief that they were victims of their ancestors’ sins, trapped by an unjust God. Instead, God speaks directly to His people, declaring His justice and mercy.

God’s message is clear: each person is responsible for their own choices. He does not hold children accountable for their parents’ sins, nor parents for their children’s. Instead, He invites every individual to take responsibility for their relationship with Him.

This revolutionary idea shifted the focus from communal to personal accountability. In a culture where identity was often tied to family or tribe, God reminded His people that His judgment is based on individual actions.

Even more astonishing is God’s heart for redemption. He declares, “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? … and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” (v. 23). God’s deepest desire is not punishment but repentance and restoration. Every wicked act forgiven, every transgression forgotten—this is the radical love of a just and merciful God.

However, God’s justice also warns against complacency. Righteousness is not a one-time achievement but a daily walk with God. A life turned away from God can negate past faithfulness, just as repentance can erase a history of wickedness.

Reflect on your own spiritual responsibility. Ask yourself, “Am I living out my faith or relying on the faith of others?” God calls us to personal repentance and relationship. Rejoice in redemption. Consider the ways God has shown mercy in your life. Thank Him for His forgiveness and share His message of grace with others. Remain faithful. Guard your heart and actions. Righteousness is not a destination but a journey with God.

These verses do demonstrate how God holds each person accountable for their own sins while offering redemption through repentance. But we cannot overlook how this promise reaches its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who provides the way for sins to be completely taken up and forgiven.

In Ezekiel 18, God declares that “the soul who sins is the one who will die”—a truth pointing to the consequence of sin being separation from God. However, God also expresses His desire for sinners to repent and live. This sets the stage for the arrival of Jesus, who embodies God’s justice and mercy.

It’s Jesus: The One Who Takes Up Our Sins
God’s ultimate solution to humanity’s burden of sin is found in Jesus. While Ezekiel highlights personal accountability, Jesus offers Himself as the one who bears the sins of all who repent and trust in Him. Isaiah 53:5-6 prophesies this profound truth:
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Through His death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled the justice of God, taking upon Himself the penalty for sin that we deserved. At the same time, He extended mercy by offering forgiveness to all who turn to Him in repentance. Romans 5:8-9 explains this beautifully:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”

Even though Jesus has borne our sins, we must still respond personally. Just as Ezekiel calls us to turn from sin and live, Jesus invites us to repent and believe in Him for eternal life.

Thus, while Ezekiel emphasizes God’s justice in not transferring guilt between individuals, the New Testament reveals the wonder of God transferring our guilt to Jesus, the sinless Savior, so that we might be free.

So I hope you rejoice in the truth that God, through Christ, not only calls us to repentance but also provides the ultimate means of redemption. Praise Him for His love that does not desire our destruction but our restoration, accomplished through the sacrifice of His Son. Let this truth strengthen your faith and inspire you to share this message of hope and grace with others.

In Jesus, your sins are no longer your own—they are taken up, erased, and replaced with His righteousness.

This week, meditate on your personal accountability before God. Confess any sins that weigh on your heart, and rejoice in His promise of forgiveness when you turn to Him. Then, reach out to someone who may feel burdened by guilt and share with them God’s longing for repentance, not punishment.

~~~~~

Father God, thank You for Your perfect balance of justice and mercy, for seeing me not as I was, not in light of other people, but as You desire me to be in Christ. Thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, for the opportunity to leave behind my past and walk forward in the freedom of Your grace. You are patient, forgiving, and compassionate, offering me a new beginning each day.

Holy Spirit, guide my heart and mind to seek Your will above all else. Help me to walk in step with You, holding fast to Your truth, and reflecting Your righteousness in my thoughts, words, and actions. Strengthen my faith in moments of doubt, and remind me of Your presence when I feel weak or uncertain.

Lord, fill my heart with Your love so that it overflows to those around me. Teach me to extend mercy and kindness to others, even when it’s difficult, that they might see a glimpse of You in me. Use me as a vessel to share Your hope, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life with all who are searching for You.

Thank You for never giving up on me and for being the source of my strength and peace. May my life bring glory to Your name. I pray for all of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

November 16 2024