Repentance
Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries / Middle Tennessee - 4/2/17
Jesus said “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent,
ye shall all likewise perish”- Luke 13:3,5
Many preachers (pastors) in our time do not want to preach on 'repentance'.
Repentance: Turn away or turn from your ways.
Not just being sorry, but to turn from your sins.
A man behind the pulpit preaching repentance, could possilbly cause half of the congregation to leave. Many in the congregation do not want to hear about their sins, especially being brought to the forefront, so to speak. Many leave the church because of hurt feelings, or the idea that their sin is not as bad as this person’s sin, or that person’s sin (that's pride). The world has taught us to measure our thoughts, deeds and actions with others and of course, one can always find “someone” who is in ‘deeper or worse’ sin than their’s (2 Cor 10:12). But when we compare ourselves with Jesus, it should truly cause us to bow our heads and drop to our knees.
All need to “repent” – Turn from their sinful lives. Let us back up to Luke 13:1 and read: "There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices". Jesus mentioned repentance twice in Luke 13:3-5. He got His point across to His listeners.
1. Jesus is telling the disciples (and others) not to compare their sins with those of the Galileans. Their sins were no greater or no less than others. My hope is that these verses come across clearly to all who read them today. We should examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). This is a reminder to us all.
2. Many who profess to be a “Christian,” live their lives as most all of the world does. Many say they’re “saved”, but we see no evidence in their walk. Often people say they belong to Jesus, but we do NOT hear it in their speech or see it in their actions.
The Bible reads, "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matt 3:8): or to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. If we say that we are a Christian, the world is watching closely. There is something very wrong with those who willingly and regularly commit sin, and proclaim to the world that they are Christians (followers of Christ). There must be a change. We must hate the things that God hates (Pro 6:16-19). You can’t have it both ways. Remember, Jesus preached repentance (Matt 4:17).
The Bible reads in 1 John 2:15, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Dear friend, knowing you are ‘wrong’, or ‘being sorry’, isn’t repentance. Repentance doesn't mean anything if you keep doing what you are sorry for. You must fully trust Jesus for the sacrifice He made for all of us. Call upon Him now. God’s promises are true and He wants for NO ONE to perish. Remember that word 'perish' - Eternal destruction. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Please totally surrender your lives completely today to our LORD Jesus Christ
and ask for His forgiveness.
Receive Jesus (John 1:12) and He will help you. Jesus still saves.
Remember, Repent or Perish (Luke 13:3).
Jesus said it – Believe it.
Gary Waddell - Thanks for "Taking 5" - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee
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