1/22/13  Ezekiel 18
The Lord makes it very clear to Ezekiel and to Israel that He will judge every individual based on his or her conduct.  One is not judged based on his father's works, good or evil, or on his son's conduct.  What each person does individually is what God looks at and judges. 
God approves of those who do justice and righteousness and gives life to them.  God disapproves of those who do evil and gives death to them.  But He also makes clear that we can not rest on what good we did in the past, nor do we need to continue in unrighteousness.  God looks at our present conduct.  If we were righteous in the past but now have turned away from Him, all  promise of life is lost.  But if we were wicked and repent and turn to Him, He will forgive and give life.
Twice God states that He has no pleasure in the death of anyone wicked.  He would much rather they repent and live.  "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions.... cast away from you all your transgressions... make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!" ( v30-31)   This echoes Isaiah 1:16-17  " Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless; Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow."
Even after all that Israel did, all the wickedness: idolatry, oppression, adultery, robbery, usury, etc.  God is calling for repentance so that He can forgive and restore His people.
The people did not think that God was doing things right, but God makes it clear that they were the ones who were wrong.  He is completely just.  He is compassionate and merciful, but He will not let the guilty go unpunished.   "Keep your hand from iniquity and execute true justice." " Practice justice and righteousness".  This is the path to life in the sight of God.  Jesus summed it up for us : "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, You shall Love your neighbor as yourself" Matt. 22:37-39
Peter tells us that God is patient and wants all to come to repentance II Peter 3:9.   He does not want anyone to perish.  This is Ezekiel's message also.  Turn from wickedness and live!  It is never too late to repent.  Thank God for His patience and grace.  Thank You Father that You have offered this gift of repentance to all men and women.