“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right?” (Ezekiel 18:25).

Chapter 18 of the book of Ezekiel is illuminating. God does not punish children for the sins of their parents. God does not punish parents for the sins of their children. Sin destroys any righteousness. Turning back to God covers sin.

As I have contemplated the chapter, it is clear that each person will stand before the Lord for his/her own choices. I will not answer for your sin. You will not answer for mine. I will not answer for my parents’ sin. My parents will not answer for mine.

That may seem unfair, because this is somewhat contrary to how our justice system works. Many legal defenses seek to hold someone else responsible. The parents were abusive. The bar served the drinks. The girl waited too long to say no.

God holds the person committing the sin responsible for his/her actions. The abuser will answer to God for the pain inflicted. The drunk will answer to God for the damage he caused. The rapist will answer to God for his immoral act. There are no excuses.

God will also hold the parents responsible for the abuse they inflicted. If we entice someone who should not drink with a drink, God will hold us responsible. If a woman is acting unbecoming toward a man, God will hold her responsible. God holds each person accountable for his or her actions. My actions do not excuse you of your actions. Your actions do not excuse me of mine. It is the fairest way to handle a situation.

We might consider it uncaring of God to hold us responsible for choices we make because of the sins committed against us. However, God also does not hold us responsible for the choices others make because of the sin we have committed against them. It works both ways.

God deeply cares about the wounds in our lives due to sin. He heals us. He forgives us. He gives us life. He loves us. He loves us so much that He let His son die for us. He accepts us. God sees into our hearts and plants peace. Peace with Him. Peace with each other.

Nestled in this discussion of sin is the awareness that someone’s righteousness will not save him/her from the consequences of sin. The Pharisees of Jesus’s time come to mind. One sin would destroy all their righteousness. No wonder, before receiving Christ as his savior, Paul described himself “as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless” (Philippians 3:6). Sin was not an option.

After faith in Christ, Paul says, “no good dwells in me” (Romans 7:18). Paul discovered that before faith in Christ his righteousness was not God’s righteousness. Paul’s righteousness accomplished nothing in his standing before God. He needed Christ’s righteousness.  Christ’s righteousness meets God’s standard.

Paul opens Romans 8 with these words, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Later in Romans 8, Paul shares how nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing includes our sins. What a beautiful promise.

Returning to God’s question in Ezekiel 18:25, “Is My way not right?” Yes, God’s way is right. His way is perfect. His way leads to the salvation of our souls because of His Son’s death on the cross. It leads to life.