Ezekiel 18:20 speaks profoundly to the concept of individual responsibility before God. It reads, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

This verse is a cornerstone in understanding the justice of God as it pertains to personal accountability. In the times of Ezekiel, there was a common belief and saying that encapsulated a sense of collective punishment for sins (as reflected in Ezekiel 18:2), where the sins of one generation could bring suffering upon the next. However, this passage clarifies that under God’s covenant, each individual is responsible for their own actions. It emphasizes that one cannot be condemned for the sins of their ancestors, nor can one’s own righteousness automatically redeem their descendants.

The broader context of Ezekiel 18 challenges the people to turn from their wicked ways and seek righteousness, promising that those who do so will live. It underscores the mercy and fairness of God, who judges each person according to their own deeds and offers the possibility of repentance and redemption. This message is meant to inspire personal responsibility, urging each person to live a life of integrity and righteousness in their own relationship with God.

John 8:21 reads, “Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’”

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, religious leaders of the time who were often at odds with Him due to their differing interpretations of the Law and Jesus’ claims about Himself. The context of John 8 is one of deep theological discourse, where Jesus is revealing the nature of His identity and mission, and the implications for those who choose to reject Him.

Jesus’ statement that He is going away refers to His impending death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father. His warning that they will die in their sin if they do not believe in Him underscores the eternal consequences of rejecting His offer of salvation. The sin specifically mentioned here is the ultimate sin of unbelief, of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.

The phrase “where I am going, you cannot come” points to the spiritual reality that without faith in Jesus, one cannot enter into the presence of God or the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is emphasizing the exclusivity of the path to salvation; it is only through faith in Him that one can be reconciled to God and enter eternal life.

This passage calls readers to reflect on the seriousness of Jesus’ identity and mission, encouraging a personal response of faith in Him to avoid the eternal consequences of remaining in sin. It’s a poignant reminder of the central message of the Gospel—that belief in Jesus Christ is the only way to receive forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:3 reads, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.”

This verse is a foundational statement within the Christian faith, articulated by the Apostle Paul. It succinctly captures the essence of the Gospel message—the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul is emphasizing to the Corinthians, and by extension to all readers, the primary importance of the truth that Christ’s death was a sacrificial act for the atonement of humanity’s sins.

The phrase “in accordance with the Scriptures” underscores that Jesus’ death was not an unforeseen tragedy but was foretold and fulfilled according to the Old Testament prophecies. This reference to the Scriptures validates the divine plan of salvation that was set into motion from the beginning of time, indicating that Jesus’ sacrifice was a fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan as revealed through the prophets.

Paul’s assertion that this truth is “of first importance” signals its foundational role in the Christian faith. The belief in Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection is central to Christian doctrine, representing the means through which humanity can be reconciled with God. It encapsulates the essence of what Paul and the other apostles preached and what they received, which in turn has been handed down through generations of believers.

This verse, therefore, not only summarizes the core of the Gospel but also highlights the continuity and fidelity of the apostolic witness to the truth of Christ’s work of salvation. It’s a call to remember and hold fast to the fundamental truths of the faith that are central to Christian identity and hope.