How does Ezekiel 18:4 connect with Romans 6:23 about sin's consequences? Two Voices, One Warning • Ezekiel 18:4: “Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.” • Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Sin’s Consequence: The Same Verdict in Both Testaments • Death is not merely physical; it speaks to separation from God (Genesis 2:17; Ephesians 2:1). • Ezekiel establishes the principle; Romans echoes it, showing the verdict has never changed. • This harmony reinforces that God’s moral law remains constant. Personal Accountability Highlighted • Ezekiel: responsibility is individual—“the soul who sins.” • Romans: expands scope—“wages of sin” applies to every person (Romans 3:23). • Together: no one can shift blame; each must face the result of personal rebellion. Justice and Grace in One Sentence • Ezekiel stops at the justice side: sin → death. • Romans carries the thought further: same verdict, yet God supplies the remedy—“the gift of God.” • The connection shows that while God’s justice is unwavering, His grace is equally real (Isaiah 53:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Unpacking “Death” • Spiritual death now: alienation from God (Isaiah 59:2). • Physical death eventually: mortality introduced by sin (Romans 5:12). • Eternal death finally: separation in judgment (Revelation 20:14-15). Unpacking “Gift” • Freely given, never earned—opposite of “wages.” • Rooted in Christ’s substitution (1 Peter 3:18). • Brings eternal, restored life (John 10:10). Living the Connection • Agree with God about sin’s seriousness—no minimizing. • Receive the gift offered in Christ—no earning, only trusting. • Walk daily in newness of life (Romans 6:4), demonstrating the truth that, in Jesus, death no longer has the final word. |
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