Ezekiel 14:5-6 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.… 1. Repentance is a turning from sin to God. It is not any turning, but a turning of the judgment, so that men judge otherwise of God, of His laws and ways, of sin, of themselves, than before; a turning of the will and affections, so that they are carried wholly and fully unto God (Joel 2:12). 2. Repentance is a continued act. It is a grace, and must have its daily operation, as well as other graces. Where a spring breaks forth it is always flowing. 3. Sinners should stir up themselves, and do the utmost which lies in their power to further their turning unto God. "Turn yourselves from your idols"; use all arguments you can to cause your hearts to turn from idols, and from other sinful ways. Consider — (1) That they are separated from the Lord (Isaiah 59:2). (2) That man's life is short, and the pleasures of sin but for a season. (3) The daily treasuring up of wrath, and danger of final impenitency (Romans 2:5). It is a seal of condemnation. (4) The condemnations of a man's own heart and conscience (Isaiah 57:20, 21). (5) Absolute necessity of repenting and turning unto God (Luke 13:3). "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." 4. True repentance and turning to the Lord doth manifest itself in the effects and fruits of it: it hath meet fruit (Matthew 3:8), worthy fruit (Luke 3:8). Now, here are three effects thereof in these words:(1) When the soul is truly turned to God it seeks to turn others; it is not content that itself is come to God, but would have many come to Him. (2) It dispenses with no sin; it saith not, Lord, be merciful to me in this, but turns from "all abominations," from every idol, the most daring sin shall then go to it (Hosea 14:8). (3) It avoids the occasions of sin and appearances of evil. (W. Greenhill, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. |
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