TURN! TURN TO GOD!

Ezek. 33:10-11 “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ˜Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” NLT

       Here is the passion of God’s heart.  The Lord does not want anyone to die in their sins.  He takes no pleasure whatsoever in the death of those bound for hell.  He wants all people to repent and find their way to heaven.  However, God cannot overlook sin.  He who sins must surely die.  He can never allow sin in His presence.  So, he who dies in sin will live in sin forever and ever.

       Sin weighs heavily on the heart of man.  Sometimes it gets so heavy that one can scarcely live.  The guilt and shame of sin become an unbearable burden on the soul.  For some the burden is so heavy that they do whatever they can to forget the pain and agony of the heart.  They wrap themselves up in the offerings of the world so they don’t remember, all to no avail.  For some, the pain is so great that all hope is gone and they take matters into their own hands and end their lives.  What a tragedy!

      The end of all sin is death.  There is a separation that takes place from the living.  He who is physically alive and lives in sin has no help or hope from God.  He is left with the misery of a sin-infested life.  Sin often separates one from those who love him and desire a relationship with him.  Sin is ugly no matter how you look at it.  It is the death sentence of the soul.

      The cry of God is, “Repent!  Why should you die in your sin?  I love you and want to remove your sin from you.  Repent!  I am merciful and gracious and will forgive all who come to me with a humble and broken heart confessing their sin.” 

      It breaks the heart of God when we spurn Him.  He longs for a relationship with all people.  Don’t let sin come between you and God.  Confess your sin and you will live and you will know the joy of living in relationship with the Lord, our God.   Turn to Him and you will find peace and rest for your soul.