Ezekiel 18:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If, as He states, the individual turns away from all his sins and keeps the commandments of the Lord, completely abandoning all wrongdoings and pursuing all that is virtuous—if he acts righteously and renounces evil—then I will forget all his transgressions. By the righteousness that he has practiced, he will live. Not merely by My truth, but by his own truth shall he find life, for it is My justice to reward the righteous accordingly and to deal with the wicked as they deserve.

In a similar way, the Heavenly King, God Almighty, seeks to show compassion to sinners by calling them to repentance through His sacred Word, urging them to turn away from their sins and return to Him with genuine remorse and contrition. "Repent!" (Matthew 3:2). When such steps are taken, our loving God promises to forgive all their sins, no matter how far they have strayed, and not to recall them. "If the wicked turn from all his iniquities, he shall live and not die; ... all his transgressions which he hath done shall not be remembered to him" (Jer. 31:34; Ezek. 18:21-22). This kind promise is further affirmed by God’s oath, so that penitent beings might not doubt or fear to approach Him in repentance. “As I live,” says the Lord God, “I do not desire the death of the sinner, but rather that he turns from his ways and lives” (Ezekiel 33:11; Hebrews 6:13, 17-18). This extraordinary and unmatched mercy of God has been proclaimed throughout the world, reaching many sinners, including thieves, fornicators, and those engaged in other grave sins. They received this message with love, renounced their wicked actions, and hurried to their compassionate Creator in repentance, finding forgiveness and cleansing through their return to Him. They became friends of God and entered into His eternal kingdom.

O sinner! Why do you hesitate when you hear such a compassionate invitation from your heavenly Father? Tax collectors and repentant individuals have found entry into the kingdom of heaven; why do you remain entrenched in your sins? God, as a loving Father, is awaiting your return. Come to your senses and approach your heavenly Father in repentance. Truly, I tell you, He will receive you with joy, look upon you with kindness, and "will have compassion on you, and will run to you and embrace you.” Fear not, for He will not scold you for your failures, but will clothe you in “fine garments,” give you a ring for your hand, and sandals for your feet. Then the angels of God will also rejoice with you. The words will be spoken of you, “This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (See Luke 15:20, 22, 24). Let us hasten, let us hasten, dear sinner, to our heavenly Father while He waits for us and the gates of His kingdom are wide open!