"The reason why a sinner can be forgiven is now brought to light. It is the result of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our sins."
Personal Accountability
Ezekiel 18:2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
The above proverb means that children would suffer the consequences of their father’s action.
In this verse, the Lord is referring to the blame the children of Israel put on their forefathers as the exile of the children of Israel to Babylon was the result of their forefathers’ sins.
In Jeremiah 31:29 God had also mentioned about this saying, but in the next verse, God explains, “But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge” (Jer 31:30).
Taking the example of the Israelites’ exile, the children were bought into a foreign land because of their fathers’ sins. Although the children’s exile was the result of their fathers’ sins, we must distinguish between an unfavourable situation like being in a foreign land and sin.
As an illustration, if your father is a gambling addict, you and your family may be in poverty although it is not your wrongdoing. Therefore, the application of this proverb in such a situation has an element of truth. When your father sinned, you end up being in an unfavourable circumstance.
God was upset in Ezekiel 18:2-3 because the children of Israel not only attributed blame for their unpleasant circumstances to their forefathers but their continuing sins too. Living in unfavourable circumstances is not sin and the Lord teaches that children should not carelessly ascribe the reasons for their sins to the unfavourable situations caused by their fathers.
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
In Chapter 18, Ezekiel gave a very detailed account of this subject. The summary is in the seven words above. We may inherit adverse circumstances when our fathers sinned. But we will not inherit their sins. Everyone has a free will to live his or her life, whether for good or evil. If you choose to sin, don’t blame it to the fathers or your circumstances. I have seen word-abiding Christians who come from adverse situations and also sinful children from prosperous and favourable circumstances.
A difficult question
In the attainment of success, is it better to be born in an austere environment or in a rich environment?
In both environments, there are successful individuals. Which are better environments? I guess the first thing we have to address is the definition of success.
The world has their definition of success. Commonly, it is the achievement of good physical health, good education, successful career or business, having a happy family and some degree of recognition in society. If the definition is in accordance with the above, I guess, it is better to be born into a rich family. The only thing the world’s definition of success does not cover is the subject of sin and death. If we introduce this subject, then the world’s definition of success is just a transient definition because death is inevitable. We have to look at the Bible’s definition for a permanent definition.
The Bible defines success quite differently. The Bible terms success as ‘blessedness’ which is quite different from the world’s definition. In the Beatitudes, the Lord Jesus defines success or blessedness as follow:
Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
After pronouncing nine blessings, the Lord Jesus reminds those that have these blessings to rejoice. This is success. When you see what the Lord has to say on the blessed state, it has nothing to do with circumstances, whether you are rich or poor. It has also nothing to do with our fathers’ sins. We are all put into an equal position as far as living righteously is concerned.
All of us must learn to be thankful for the different types of circumstances that God has placed us. It is not sin to be born black or yellow or brown. It is not sin to be born in an authoritarian or democratic country. It is not sin to be in a particularly rich or poor family. Generally, we all envy those that are born with a silver spoon. It is not hard to imagine as there is no necessity for these people to cheat and lie to eke out a living. Unfortunately, I have seen some rich people who lie even more than those in adverse circumstances. In summary, circumstances, whether in prosperity or poverty, do not make anyone more susceptible to sin.
Everyone in whatever circumstance must be humble to realise that they are sinners. We have failed God's standard of righteousness and it is necessary to seek forgiveness of sins and live our lives in accordance to the 'blessed' state taught by the Lord. This is the true success that is permanent. Do not blame circumstances or anyone when you have sinned (Ezekiel 18:21).
Many people ascribe their sins to others. Adam was the first man to blame the woman that God gave to him for his sin. There is no excuse. Today, one can blame our sins to our parents, school or even the church. This is not acceptable as explained here. God has no pleasure in the death of the sinner. He made the propitiation for our sins available to all and it is our personal responsibility to seek forgiveness from Him.
The reason why a sinner can be forgiven is now brought to light. It is the result of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He paid the price for our sins.
1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jn 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
1Jn 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
With God’s Blessings,
CL
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