The Watchman's Warning
Ezekiel 3:21 says, “Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.”
The spirit lifted Ezekiel up and took him away (v. 14), to the captives “at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar” (v. 15). While he was there, God made him to be “a watchman unto the house of Israel” (v. 17). Ezekiel warns “the righteous man” because of his iniquity. If he does not give him a warning, then “he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered” (v. 20b). Therefore, his blood is required at Ezekiel’s hand! But if Ezekiel gives the warning and the righteous man sins not, then he lives!
Paul mentioned that he was “pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26), because he “ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). As bible-believing Christians, we must also warn others that sin leads to the eternal consequences of hell (Lk 16:23), but God offers the hope of “eternal life through Jesus Christ” (Rom 6:23), to whosever will trust Him by faith (Eph 2:8)! The phrase “his righteousness” in verse 20 refers to one’s personal righteousness by observing God’s commandments (Deut 6:25). It is called “the righteousness which is of the law” (Rom 10:5), which can lead a person to turn back and “die in his iniquity” (v. 18).
In the New Testament, people shall die in their sins if they don’t receive Jesus as their Only Saviour (Jn 8:24)! However, if they would trust Him by faith (Rom 10:9), they shall have His imputed righteousness (Rom 4:24), and they can no longer die in their sins (Eph 2:5)! Salvation cannot be obtained by our own works of righteousness (Titus 3:5), but only through “the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Php 3:9), in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Jn 19:30). And because He lives (Lk 24:6), we shall also live “with Him” (2 Cor 13:4)! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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