Chapter 12: The False Salvation Doctrine
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[28] “Because he considers and turns away from all the
transgressions, which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
[29] Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ O house of Israel is it not My ways, which are fair, and your ways, which are not fair?
[30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.
[31] Cast away from you all the transgressions, which you have
committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?
[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn and live!”
Spend some time and study these verses from Ezekiel 18 and you will realize that God is serious about sin resulting in death. Notice also that all
the righteousness you have done vanishes when you turn to wickedness. Has anything really changed in God’s eyes because of the New Testament in regards to sin, repentance and salvation? The answer is no, it hasn’t and the Apostle Paul reinforces this fact with the following verse.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Paul can confidently teach you that the “gift of God” is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord because he knows that true believers actually believe in Yahweh like Jesus taught. This belief engenders a close friendship with God and His Son Jesus. It’s a friendship in which you give up all offensive behavior. The gift is manifest by both a changed heart and obedience.
Copyright 2005 Edward G. Palmer, All Rights Reserved. Book of Edward—Chapter 12