(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 33:1-20)
There are two themes that we should consider this morning. First, what are our responsibilities as Christians in sharing the Gospel. Second, does God deliver justice for all?
What are our responsibilities as Christians in sharing the Gospel?
In today’s Scripture, we are told that the responsibilities of a watchman is to warn the people of coming disaster,
2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.
The watchman we are told is not responsible for whether or not their warnings are heeded, but their job is strictly to warn and warn they must do. If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people, the watchman will be held accountable for the lives of those lost.
The watchman is not responsible for whether or not their warnings are heeded, and they are also not responsible for justice to be delivered. Justice is in the hands of God, and just as the watchman is to warn of the coming sword, we as the church and as Christians are responsible to share the Gospel with the world. This Gospel is one of coming judgment for all the world, and hope of salvation in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Does God deliver justice for all?
10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’
What is our definition of justice? If we think justice is about being fair, and equal to all, or about what people deserve and don’t deserve, then maybe we will answer this question about God delivering justice with a resounding, “No!” Why is that? Although we read over and over again about God’s judgment in Ezekiel, His heart is actually not for destruction, but rather repentance. The Lord says, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they from their ways and live.”
The Lord does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but do we call that justice? If the wicked are not put to death because they turn from their evil ways, would we call that injustice? If someone that does good all their life is saved, this perhaps makes sense to us, and perhaps is the type of people we like to share the Gospel with.
However, the Gospel isn’t just about good or bad behavior. The wicked, or sinners, aren’t defined simply by good or bad behavior in this world, but whether or not we give glory, worship, and authority to the God that created us. In fact, as Paul reminds in the Book of Romans, no one is righteous under God, for all have sinned and fallen short of His glory. If there are certain people that we think don’t deserve salvation because of their behavior, then unfortunately we would not deserve it as well, because no one can earn their own salvation.
That is why in today’s Scripture, even though there is a reference to the righteous, the Lord says,
13 If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.
Righteousness is not about someone trusting in their own righteousness, but true righteousness is God’s righteousness given to us when we believe, trust in, and follow Jesus Christ.
God’s justice is for all, and not for just some. Perhaps that is a misconception we have about salvation. It isn’t that there are some that are safe because they are good, and some that are not safe because they are wicked, and God’s salvation is only useful for those that are good. But rather, whether we are good or wicked, we all require His salvation, because no matter how good we can be, we could never be holy enough for God.
God’s justice, is a justice of grace through belief in the faith of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was faithful and gave up His life on the cross for the good and the wicked, and if we believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that He is Lord of our life, then that justice of grace is available to us. Grace is unmerited favor, so it cannot be earned by our behavior, whether good or wicked.
And justice for all? Yes, justice for all through Jesus Christ, our Lord. May we be faithful in sharing the Gospel without prejudice, so that we may fulfill our role as the watchman. And may God’s justice for all through His Son, Jesus Christ, turn the hearts of the unbeliever to Him and His righteousness.
Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Ezekiel 33
Response to Pastor Michael’s Morning Message on October 11, 2025:
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slack about fulfilling his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward you, not wanting any to perish but all to reach repentance.”
A righteous person who does good but fails to persevere will eventually receive the punishment due. A wicked person who eventually repents of their evil deeds will still be forgiven.
Romans 3:9-10
“So what? Are we Jews better than others? Of course not! We have already pointed out that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin.As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.”
Do not be self-righteous because you are a watchman, for the judgment is just and the punishment for those who understand the truth and yet continue to do evil is more severe than for those who are unaware of salvation.
Salvation allows us to do good and become holy, and we must be vigilant every day to avoid straying from the Lord through unintentional sin