What does "turns from his righteousness" teach about the dangers of backsliding? The Text Under Consideration “But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does the same abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered; because of the treachery he has committed and the sin he has committed, he will die.” Key Observations About “Turns from his righteousness” • A deliberate shift: “Turns” signals a conscious, willful change of direction, not a momentary stumble. • Total reversal: The righteous man engages in “the same abominations” practiced by the wicked, showing wholesale abandonment rather than partial compromise. • Erased record: “None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered,” stressing that past faithfulness cannot offset present rebellion. • Deadly outcome: “He will die,” underscoring that spiritual death accompanies unrepentant backsliding. Theological Implications: Why Backsliding Is Deadly 1. Breaks Covenant Fellowship • Hebrews 10:26–27 warns that persistent sin after receiving the truth leaves “no further sacrifice for sins, but only a fearful expectation of judgment.” • John 15:6 shows that branches failing to remain in Christ are “thrown away and wither.” 2. Cancels Prior Righteousness • Ezekiel’s wording parallels Revelation 2:5, where believers who leave their first love must repent “or I will come to you and remove your lampstand.” • Righteous deeds belong to yesterday; obedience must be current (Matthew 24:13). 3. Invites Greater Judgment • 2 Peter 2:20–22 states that returning to sin is like a dog to vomit; the latter state is “worse than the first.” • Luke 9:62—“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Practical Warnings for Today • Guard the heart daily (Proverbs 4:23); slow drift precedes open rebellion. • Reject small compromises; sin grows (James 1:14–15). • Stay rooted in Scripture and fellowship (Acts 2:42). • Confront self-deception: good beginnings do not guarantee good endings (1 Corinthians 10:12). • Seek accountability; isolation accelerates downfall (Hebrews 3:12–13). Encouragement for Perseverance • God delights to forgive the repentant (Ezekiel 18:27–28). • Continuous grace is available through confession (1 John 1:9). • The Spirit empowers enduring obedience (Philippians 2:13). • Fix eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), knowing that “the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). |
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