Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Jeremiah 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Hosea 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
God is not willing that any perish, but that all come to repentance. The call of the gospel is the call to turn from sin and to return to God. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. Sin grieves the Spirit of God, and it grieves God to see His creation destroyed by sin and iniquity. Thus He calls mankind to turn back to Him by grace, through faith in the perfect sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. God is saying to you and me this morning, turn from your evil ways. Turn from a life of autonomy and self rule to a life of theocracy and being ruled by The Almighty.
Sin is serious. Sin kills. Sin destroys. Sin holds its captives in bondage. Only in Christ can sinners be set free from the prison and ruling principle of sin. Only a greater power than sin can set sinners free, and that power is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is not simply the way of entrance into the kingdom of God; it is the ongoing door of fellowship with The Lord and pathway to victory. This call to return is for all sinners, saved and unsaved alike. It is as much a call to sanctification as it is to salvation. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Turn to Jesus and turn away from sin and iniquity. Why will you allow sin to destroy you any longer instead of allowing God’s grace and love to set you free?
