When God calls us to repent, it is not something to take lightly. Why? Because if we do not repent, then our salvation is at stake. If you’ve read what John the Baptist and then Jesus, our Lord taught, then you would know that repentance was important. John, when he began his ministry, declared, 1“repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus also, said the exact same thing when he declared, 2“repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Even Jesus’s disciples taught the same thing. For example, Peter taught, 4“repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Therefore, repentance was taught in the newly established church by Christ. And Peter even helped us understand why. When we turn from our sins and come unto Jesus for forgiveness and mercy, He is able to break the chains of addiction and sin in our life. We are then refreshed and washed clean through the blood of Jesus. At this point, the presence of God is able to come into our lives. However, although repentance is necessary to have true faith in God, it is hardly ever important to people. 3For this reason, few are those people that will enter heaven and many that will enter hell.
Because we live in a wicked and adulterous generation, many people have an issue with repentance. These same people will be punished unless they have a change of heart. The Spirit of God says repent, for the Lord is nigh. Judgement is coming. Therefore, come unto Jesus and be made clean before it is too late. I understand that this calling of the Holy Spirit to repent isn’t always welcoming, but still, it is always right and should never be taken for granted. Here is a reason why people do disregard their chance to repent. It is simple, they miss their chance for a new life, because they are content with their current lifestyle. People’s current lifestyle is holding them back, in a big way, from God. Many don’t even realize what they are missing out on until it is too late. If anything is holding you back, it is not worth it. It would be terrible if you died in your sins and then ended up in hell. You’d be wishing you repented when you had the chance. Heaven is in our reaches but repentance is necessary first. This way, the Lord can rescue us from our fallen state. So I pray that you will give your whole heart to God today. Come unto Jesus and be cleansed from all your sins. There is a brighter future when our burdens are gone and the presence of God is with us.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people do repent before it is too late. I pray that they will understand the need to turn from their wicked ways, in order to have Your presence in their lives. May people no longer be caught up in their current lifestyle, that they feel no need to change. This is getting way to many people into trouble these days. It is causing them to seek the ways of the world instead of Your calling for their lives. What is sad, God, is that when I go on the streets, these people laugh at me and think I am nuts, when I am only out their witnessing the truths of the gospel to them. They think they have it made and what I am doing for God’s kingdom is not necessary. It is so sad to think that they feel that hell will be where the best people will be at and they’ll be having a good ol’time there. Wow, are they mistaken, Lord. Your Holy Spirit has spoken to me and these people will be punished for their sins in the lake of fire. I pray that the wicked people in this world will humble themselves and find mercy in You Lord. I know that there is still hope. Help me find such people, that they may be rescued and delivered into Your hands, dear God. I love to serve You and to see people find faith in You. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
2Matthew 4:17-22 (KJV)
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
3Luke 13:22-28 (KJV)
22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
4Acts 3:12-21 (KJV)
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
