Ezekiel 18:31 - Homiletics.

Why will ye die?

I. GOD EARNESTLY DESIRES TO SAVE HIS CHILDREN . He repeatedly repudiates the notion that he has any pleasure in their death ( e.g. Ezekiel 18:23 and Ezekiel 18:32 ). He does not regard that terrible fate with indifference, as though it were no concern of his, after the manner of an epicurean divinity. He might say that, as men have foolishly and sinfully earned their own ruin, he would regard their doom with complacency. But instead of doing so, he manifests the utmost concern, urgently expostulating with the self-willed sinners, and entreating them to save themselves. Nay, has he not gone further, in sending his Son to save the world before his guilty children began to repent and to call for deliverance? In like manner, Christ, lamenting the coming ruin of Jerusalem, exclaimed, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" ( Matthew 23:37 ).

II. THE DEATH OF SINNERS IS IN THEIR OWN HANDS . "Why will ye die?" It is not written by God. It is not fated by destiny. It does not fall out by chance. It is not a consequence of circumstances. Secondary and external events may appear to be traceable to one or other of these causes. but utter soul-ruin depends on the soul itself. If the soul dies it is because it will die. The reasons for this position are two.

1 . We have free will. If we sin, therefore, we do it of our own accord. We cannot lay the blame on our tempters. There is always a way of escape from temptation ( 1 Corinthians 10:13 ). The deed that is done under compulsion is no longer a sin. Every sin is the soul's free act.

2 . The death of the soul comes directly from sin. It is not an extraneous event; it is just the natural fruit of the soul's own evil doing. Therefore we cannot accuse God, or Satan, or nature, or circumstances. The blame rests with ourselves.

III. THE REASONS WHICH LEAD SINNERS TO COURT DEATH SHOULD BE CONSIDERED . " Why will ye die?"

1 . Because of indifference. Many are heedless. They do not will to die, but they will the way to death. But he who chooses the path chooses its end.

2 . Because of obstinacy. The appeal of the text is made against a stubborn spirit of self-will. God brings up the battering rams of grace against the thick walls of the town of Man-soul. Pride makes men hold to their own ways. But pride will be humbled in the day of ruin. There is no pride in death.

3 . Because of the love of sin. This love blinds men. They see the attractive wickedness; they should learn to see also the snake that lurks among the flowers.

4 . Because of unbelief. This is not merely a wrong intellectual conclusion. There is a dangerous unbelief that comes from closing the eyes to unpleasant facts. Yet they are not the less true.

5 . Because of the rejection of grace. If we will not to have Christ, we do in fact will to die.

IV. THE WAY OF ESCAPE FROM DEATH IS OPEN TO ALL .

1 . By casting out sin. Sin is the viper in the bosom, whose bite is mortal. Any cherished sin brings death. The first step must be not merely to grieve over sin, but to tear it away and fling it off.

2 . By receiving a new heart. We need to have a better nature. Nothing less than a new heart will suffice. Only God can give that ( Psalms 51:10 ). Only the Holy Spirit can regenerate ( John 3:5 ). But the change depends on our seeking and accepting it.