When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
When I promise someone who's living right that they'll have life, but then they start trusting in their own goodness instead of me and mess up, all those good things they did before won't matter anymore. They'll face the consequences of what they chose to do wrong.
Past good deeds can't cover present bad choices when you stop trusting God and start trusting yourself.
📚 Historical Context
Ezekiel was a prophet speaking to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BC, a time when God's people were facing judgment for their unfaithfulness. In this chapter, God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman to warn the Israelites about the dangers of sin and the importance of repentance. The verse specifically addresses the idea that past obedience does not exempt someone from future accountability if they turn away from God.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.