Ezekiel 33:16, commentary and pictures

If a wicked person turns from sin and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live and not die, and none of his former sins shall be mentioned or held against him. That turning means restoring what was taken, withheld, pledged, or gained by robbery, walking in the statutes of life, and not continuing in wrongdoing or returning to iniquity. Its sincerity is known by actions, for restitution and changed conduct show that the repentance is real, restoring as far as possible even what the withheld value would have gained by wise use. Each person is judged according to his own present way, so past righteousness does not excuse later wrongdoing, and no one can obey for his neighbor or be excused by another's neglect. This is the watchman's warning to be spoken and heeded, for God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but delights when sinners turn and obey, a return made possible because Christ gave His life to save them and give them another trial.

Repentance That Brings Life

When a wicked person turns away from sin and does what is lawful and right, that person shall surely live and shall not die, and none of the sins previously committed shall be mentioned or held against him. The turning is a return to loyalty, and the former wrongs are no longer counted because the person now does what is lawful and right.

That turning includes restoring the pledge, giving back what was taken by robbery or withheld, making restitution for what was taken, and walking in the statutes of life without continuing in wrongdoing and without returning to iniquity. One who so turns and lives by God's statutes will live and will not die for the former sins, since those sins will no longer be held against him because he has done what is lawful and right.

The promise is conditional upon turning from sin and doing what is right, and it gives the repentant sinner hope that God will forgive and restore him. A changed choice is known by a person's actions, and restitution together with changed conduct shows the sincerity of repentance. Restitution means restoring what was taken and, as far as possible, also the additional value it would have gained through wise use while it was withheld.

Judged by Present Conduct

Each person is judged according to his own way, and present conduct determines standing rather than any claim to past righteousness. Past righteousness does not excuse later wrongdoing, for a righteous person who turns to iniquity will die, while a wicked person who turns from wickedness will live. The wicked who lives is one who turns from sin, makes restitution for what was taken, and lives according to God's statutes without returning to iniquity, doing what is lawful and right, so that sins committed before turning are no longer held against him. God's government holds each person personally responsible, so no one can obey for a neighbor and another person's neglect does not excuse neglect of one's own duty. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but delights when people turn from sin and obey.

Return to loyalty is possible because Christ gave His life to save sinners and give them another trial, so that a sinner who turns back and does what is lawful and right will live with former wrongs no longer held against him. No minister can pay the price for another soul, and every person must give strict account for his influence. Ministers who mislead others into disobedience bear proportionate condemnation, and the guilt of lost souls rests upon them. Yet those who let themselves be deceived are not excused, for trusting the minister instead of searching the Word for themselves does not remove responsibility.

The Watchman's Warning Duty

The promise that none of the past sins will be held against one who turns to do what is lawful and right, restoring pledges, giving back what was taken by robbery, and walking in the statutes that give life without iniquity, so that he will live and not die, belongs to the watchman's word that Christ's chosen ministers are to speak in warning people. It stands connected with the duty to watch over souls and to give warnings and reproof.

That warning is to be respected and its message received, not met with evil thinking and evil speaking against God's messengers. It is the word concerning warnings that were given but despised, where truth delivered through loving reproof and warning was made ineffective.