Text: Ezekiel 18:18–28
18 As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity.
19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
NO SOUL IS WORTH LOSING
Memory Verse: Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die…”
Your soul is like the steering wheel of a car. It helps guide your life. Your mind and heart may have feelings and thoughts, but your soul chooses which way to go, towards good or evil, right or wrong. That is why Ezekiel 18:20 says, “The soul that sins, it shall die.” God is saying that each person is responsible for their own choices. You will not be punished for what your parents or children do. Everyone stands before God for themselves.
Some people think the soul is “immaterial” or invisible, so it is not important. But the Bible shows that your soul is more important than anything you can see or touch. In Mark 8:36–37, Jesus asks, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” That is like trading a diamond for a piece of chocolate, it is a terrible deal.
Everything you chase in life: money, fame, houses are for the body, which will one day die and be buried. But the soul lives on. That is why we must care more about your soul than your physical body.
The devil knows how valuable your soul is. Sometimes people want money or power, so they go to evil places and make deals. The devil asks for something precious in return, often the soul of someone close to them. But those deals always end in sadness, pain, and death, both now and forever. It is trading your future happiness for a short and fake joy.
But God offers something better. Romans 6:23 says, “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Proverbs 10:22 adds, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” God blesses without pain or regret. Do not let anyone trick you into giving up your soul. Nothing in this world is worth it. Stay close to God and focus on what truly lasts.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 38: SS & S 616: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE
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- Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
- Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love ;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
- Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King ;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
- Take my silver and my gold ;
Not a mite would I withhold :
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
- Take my will, and make it Thine ;
It shall be no longer mine :
Take my heart—-it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
- Take my love : my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store :
Take myself; and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Today’s Prayer
- Lord, help me seek eternal things, not just what the body wants.
- Lord, protect my soul from bad friends and evil influences.
- Pray for others to stay strong in their faith.
