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.
22None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live.
- P96
30"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.
31Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?
32For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
- P97
The Lord declares that if a wicked person turns from sin and does what is right,
they will live. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but is pleasedwhen they repent. However, if a righteous person turns from righteousnessto sin, they will die. The Lord urges Israel to repent and get a new heart andspirit so that they will live. - P97
We see the justice and mercy of God toward the righteous who becomeunrighteous and the unrighteous who become righteous. This can be sur-prising since we may believe that the wicked remain wicked and the goodcontinue to be good. However, God indicates that He judges His peopleby their actions. He is pleased when the wicked turn away from their evilways, but the righteous face severe consequences when they sin and do thesame detestable things that the wicked have done. - P98
Some Christians todaymay affirm God with their lips but deny Him in their actions. May we notlive falsely but enter into real relationship with God, turning away fromour sins and seeking Him with a new heart and spirit. After all, our worksshould stem from the Holy Spirit who is at work in us. - P98
Dear Jesus, thank you for carrying our sins on the cross. Help us to turn awayfrom our sins and follow You as we receive the new heart and spirit You giveus. In Your name, amen. - P99
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