Why Will You Perish?
When Israel, God’s chosen nation, turned away from the truth He had delivered through Moses, they came under His righteous judgment. Their land was devastated, their temple destroyed, and many were carried into captivity in Babylon. Their national privileges could not shield them from the consequences of their disobedience. Yet even in judgment, the Lord was not without mercy. By His sovereign will, He used the Babylonians to confront His people with the seriousness of their rebellion and call them to repentance.
Burdened by their guilt, they cried, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?” What a dreadful condition it is to become conscious of one’s guilt before a holy God! Yet it is often through this painful awakening that God brings a sinner to seek the healing balm of His mercy. The Lord answered their despair with a gracious appeal: “Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” Understand, it is far better to be awakened through the afflictions of this life than to remain hardened and face eternal judgment.
How blessed it is when the Lord awakens a sinner to the corruption of his own heart. Sin is not merely a mistake or a weakness. It is falling short of God’s perfect righteousness, departing from His ways, and rebelling against His holy character. The law of God is holy, righteous, and good, but it exposes the guilt of fallen humanity. When the apostle Paul examines mankind’s condition, he writes, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” He continues, “All have turned aside,” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive,” and “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” He concludes, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Every mouth is stopped, and the whole world stands accountable before God.
The law is like a mirror, revealing the corruption within the human heart. It exposes sinful thoughts, desires, and actions, stripping away our confidence in our own goodness. Neither outward religion nor moral effort can remove the guilt revealed by God’s perfect standard. Yet the law cannot cleanse the sin it exposes. It cannot justify the guilty or give life to the condemned. Through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, however, we are made to see our desperate need for the only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. What the law reveals, our own righteousness can never repair.
There, at the foot of the cross, the eyes of faith behold the Son of God hanging between heaven and earth, bearing the shame and agony of crucifixion. Jesus Christ accomplished what fallen humanity could never achieve. As the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man, He perfectly obeyed every righteous demand of God’s law, without sin in thought, word, or deed. Yet He willingly bore the punishment sinners deserved. He was crucified, buried, and raised triumphantly on the third day. His resurrection declared His victory over sin and death and vindicated His finished work of redemption. His obedience was perfect, His sacrifice sufficient, and His victory gives sure hope to all who trust in Him. He now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for those who draw near to God through Him.
Apart from Christ’s shed blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Apart from His righteousness, there is no justification before God. The author of Hebrews warns, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment.” This is a solemn warning against knowingly and persistently rejecting Christ, the only sacrifice able to save sinners. There is no other refuge from the righteous judgment of God.
Come now, poor sinner! The Word of God has exposed your guilt. You have been tried and found guilty before the righteous tribunal of His holy law, and your conscience bears witness against you. No work of your own can satisfy divine justice. But why will you perish in your sins? Behold the Lord Jesus Christ! Upon the cross He bore the guilt and punishment of sinners, so that everyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith receives forgiveness and eternal life. In Him, sinners are set free to die to sin and live unto righteousness.
The God who called Israel to turn from its wicked ways still calls sinners through the Gospel. The question Israel asked: “How then can we survive?” This finds its ultimate answer in Christ alone. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Abandon every hope in your own righteousness. Look to the crucified and risen Savior. Come to Christ and live.
how then can we survive?”
Ezekiel 33:10 — NASB