Ezekiel 18: Standing Before God alone. 

The Israelites who were now in Babylon kept coming to Ezekiel for answers as to why they were now there. They considered God as a punisher and hateful for what their fathers did. “The idea was that the present generation was being unjustly punished for what their fathers did. One would think that if the fathers have eaten sour grapes, then the fathers would have the sour taste in their teeth. According to the proverb, the fathers didn’t have the sour taste and the children did.” [D. Guzik] So goes the argument: I have done all I could do and my righteousness comes from those who went before me as well as the counter argument: I can’t help it, I come by it by whatmy grandfather or other family members did before me. But, God cleared the air by telling them this truth: God looks at the heart of each individual alone and does not condemn or praise them for their generational faults or righteousness. Each must stand before God for themselves alone! There is no grandfather clause in any case! 

Principle: Each is responsible for themselves alone! Today, take time to search your heart for anything that might keep you from being righteous. Stop blaming your parent’s unrighteousness for your own. Take responsibility for yourself for you will stand before God alone and the books will be opened to reveal you alone, not someone else’s sins or righteousness!