What does "turns from all the sins" reveal about repentance? Context and Key Verse “But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21) What the Phrase Emphasizes • “Turns” (Hebrew shuv) pictures a decisive change of direction—leaving one path, embracing another. • “From all the sins” stresses completeness. Repentance is not selective or partial; it addresses every known wrong. • “He has committed” highlights personal accountability. The individual owns each act and is responsible for forsaking it. Core Truths About Repentance • Total surrender: God calls for turning from every sin, not merely the most glaring or socially unacceptable ones. • Active obedience: Repentance involves “keeping all My statutes… doing what is just and right.” It is more than confession; it produces righteous living (Acts 26:20). • Life-giving promise: The result is certain—“he will surely live.” Repentance restores fellowship and averts judgment (Isaiah 55:7). • Continual posture: The verb points to an ongoing stance. A one-time decision blossoms into a lifestyle of aligning with God (1 John 3:9). Echoes Across Scripture • Proverbs 28:13—“He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” • 2 Chronicles 7:14—Turning “from their wicked ways” invites divine healing of the land. • Luke 15:17-20—The prodigal “came to himself” and turned home; genuine repentance moves feet as well as feelings. • Acts 3:19—“Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” The New Testament echoes Ezekiel’s call for a full reversal. Practical Takeaways • Evaluate every area of life; hidden corners cannot remain off-limits. • Replace abandoned sins with active obedience—what you turn from must be matched by what you turn to. • Trust God’s promise of life; repentance is not a grim duty but the gateway to renewal and joy. |
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