God's Plan For Man Final

edged sword able to cut through bone and marrow for God’s purpose. That purpose is to deliver the truth to those who hear and to thwart Satan’s deceptive effort in those who are deceived. It is stated: “‘The soul who sins [misunderstands] is the one who will die. The s on wi l l no t shar e t he gu i l t o f t he f a t he r , no r wi l l t he f a t he r shar e t he gu i l t o f t he s on . The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him . But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?’ declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die.’” “‘Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is not just.” Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is not just.” Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?’” ‘ “Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways,’ declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Ri d y our s e l v e s o f a l l t he o f f ens e s you hav e c ommi t t ed , and g e t a new hear t and a new sp i r i t . Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone,’ declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘Repen t and l i v e ! ’ ” (Ezekiel 18:20–32) Repentance in Hebrew means to change or turn around 180 degrees. Belief must be tested, so the truth may find its rightful place. Theology that holds any truth to be a mystery must change; those who hold to their limited beliefs must decide if they are on the right-hand or left-hand of God, or if they are conservative or liberal. Ezekiel understood and no longer

-71-