Ezekiel 18:31-32 (NASBStr)
Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”
The people's view of God is often skewed by bad information and by unfortunate mis-truths that are passed around. There are many who view God as a mean and angry God. The see Him as vindictive and judgmental. The above verse gives an interesting clarity to God's true character, however. But, you can't read the above truth that God is merciful and wants people to live without fully reading this entire section. Beginning in chapter thirteen we begin to read how wicked Israel is and how God IS going to judge them for their wickedness. Chapter by chapter leading up to these two verses God declares that the false prophets, false leaders and the false doctrine being stated are going to be judged and corrected. Yet, despite the judgment talked about for the past five chapters, Ezekiel gives us the above truth: God is not wanting anyone to die without His mercy and grace. Note how Paul sums up this same truth in his great epistle to the Romans:
Romans 2:4 (NASBStr)
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
God, despite the truth that He is a just God and must practice justice, is also a loving God and He provides a way that men and women, despite their wickedness, can know His love and grace and mercy. God wants man to come to repentance. God designed a plan for all men to come to Him. Those who repent will live. Those who don't repent, die.
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