“Repent And Live!”

“Repent And Live!”(Ez. 18:1-4&21-24&30-32).
Reading from my laboratory result the other day, the doctor asked me if there is a family history of a certain disease. Such a question suggests that there are some genetic diseases. Children also inherit the debts of their parents in the same way that they inherit the wealth of their parents.
Original sin is that kind of negative genetic inheritance from Adam. At one point in time it was understood that if original sin is cross-generational, it should be the same with mortal and venial sins. Thus Israel coined the proverb, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
Speaking through Ezekiel God says, children cannot beheld accountable for the sins of their parents. “The soul who sins is the one who will die.” We have been witnesses to situations where parents have been incarcerated or even killed for the wrongs of their children; and the reverse has also been some cases.
Another dimension of sin is the example of the two brothers – commonly called the prodigal son. A person who sins all his life, but at the last moment repent of his sins is given full pardon. Meanwhile, the person who has been good all his life, but at the last moment resort to evil is condemned.
If you are good, be good all your life. There are some Christians – the rock – who, after many years gets frustrated and abandon the faith. By that action they abrogate all the good they had done.
The LORD says to any category of us, “I will judge you, each one according to his ways. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit…For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone. Repent and live!”
Prayer: LORD, we thank you for abundant grace in Jesus Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.