True Conversion
EZEKIEL 18:21–28; PSALM 129; Matthew 5:20–26
Today we are reminded that God does not delight in the death of a wicked man. He says in Ezekiel 18:21–22 that “If the wicked man renounces all the sins he has committed, respects my laws, and is law-abiding and honest, he will certainly live; he will not die.” The Lord is pleased when a sinner repents.
Again, Ezekiel 18:24–26 adds, “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.”
A believer giving in to sin is more disgusting in the sight of God than the one who never knew God. Hence, Gal. 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Matthew 5:20–26 strengthens this theme further; it says that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees; otherwise, we shall not enter the kingdom of God.
The “righteousness” of the Scribes and Pharisees was all about rule-keeping: “Do this; don’t do that.” But Jesus’ righteousness is centered on love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
A true covert moves from wickedness to a life of grace. True conversion involves a conscious decision to turn away from one’s former ways and embrace a new way of life based on faith, repentance, and commitment to God. Such a covert is characterized by authenticity, humility, and a genuine desire to live according to the teachings of scriptures.
Let us pray
Bend our wills, Lord, so that by this Lenten observance we may fit ourselves to celebrate the Easter festival; and as we have all undertaken to subdue the body, may we all be renewed in spirit. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
