What steps can we take to "repent and turn" as instructed in Ezekiel 18:30? Hearing God’s Urgent Invitation “Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your downfall.” (Ezekiel 18:30) What does “repent and turn” look like? The Hebrew terms picture a decisive “about-face” in both attitude and action. Below are clear, practical steps Scripture gives for making that turn. Opening the Heart: Honest Confession • Agree with God about sin instead of excusing it (1 John 1:9). • Name specific transgressions; vague apologies breed vague change. • Let conviction pierce the heart, as David did: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) Embracing Godly Sorrow • Distinguish sorrow for consequences from sorrow for offending God (2 Corinthians 7:10). • Allow grief over sin to drive you toward the Lord, not away from Him. • Remember His character—“He is compassionate and gracious” (Exodus 34:6)—which makes honest mourning safe. Turning Away: Renounce and Remove • Abandon the practices, places, or relationships that feed the sin (Proverbs 28:13). • Replace hiddenness with transparency—invite accountability from mature believers (James 5:16). • Make concrete decisions: delete, dispose, distance. Repentance is more than emotion; it is re-direction. Turning Toward: Obedient Alignment • Submit to the authority of God’s Word in every area (Psalm 119:105). • Cultivate new habits of righteousness: worship, fellowship, service, generosity (Romans 6:11-13). • Pray through daily choices, asking, “Does this honor the Lord who purchased me?” Bearing Fruit Worthy of Repentance • Observable change follows inward change. John the Baptist said, “Produce fruit worthy of repentance.” (Matthew 3:8) • Look for love replacing selfishness, truth replacing deceit, purity replacing impurity. • Give restitution where possible—Zacchaeus’s example shows repentance making wrongs right (Luke 19:8-9). Living the New Direction Daily • Keep a short account with God; repent quickly when you stumble (Psalm 32:5). • Lean on the Spirit’s power: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Celebrate progress, knowing sanctification is lifelong yet certain (Philippians 1:6). Hope Anchored in the Gospel • Christ bore the judgment Ezekiel warns about, so we can stand forgiven (Isaiah 53:5). • “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19) • Every step of repentance is met by a faithful Savior who “does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) The call is urgent, the steps are clear, and the Lord’s arms are open. Turn, and “iniquity will not be your downfall.” |
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