Practice makes perfect, Perfect is Christ

Today in Sunday school we discussed being deliberate about living (practicing) the fruits of the spirit. To set out with the purpose to Love, be Patience, be Joyful, it is or at least it should be our cause as “followers of the way” that is Christians, to live our life in such a way as to “imitate” Christ. How we do that is not totally at our own discretion, we must do that which Christ did. In reading “The Imitation of Christ” by THOMAS À KEMPIS, in book 1 in the 25th chapter some insightful words, ones that should lead us to the realities of our daunting task.


“BE WATCHFUL and diligent in God’s service and often think of why you left the world and came here. Was it not that you might live for God and become a spiritual man? Strive earnestly for perfection, then, because in a short time, you will receive the reward of your labor, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come upon you at the hour of death.
There is one thing that keeps many from zealously improving their lives, that is, dread of the difficulty, the toil of battle. Certainly they who try bravely to overcome the most difficult and unpleasant obstacles far outstrip others in the pursuit of virtue. A man makes the most progress and merits the most grace precisely in those matters wherein he gains the greatest victories over self and most mortifies his will. True, each one has his own difficulties to meet and conquer, but a diligent and sincere man will make greater progress even though he have more passions than one who is more even-tempered but less concerned about virtue.
A fervent and diligent man is ready for all things. It is greater work to resist vices and passions than to sweat in physical toil. He who does not overcome small faults, shall fall little by little into greater ones.
If you have spent the day profitably, you will always be happy at eventide. Watch over yourself, arouse yourself, warn yourself, and regardless of what becomes of others, do not neglect yourself. The more violence you do to yourself, the more progress you will make.”


It is much for us to be forceful with our own selves, but it is something we must do, we must crucify our selves, we must put to death the sinful carnal self that if left to its own self would destroy us and lead us even unto death, a death from which there is no recovery.



This is a job that one cannot do our self, or should even attempt to do without Christ. He is our strength. Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary".


Christ is our victory, it is in Him, we find the strength we need to overcome temptation, and it is only in Him. Likewise, it is He, who is our place for rest and renewal.
The old adage says, “Practice makes perfect” as Christians, we need to practice being not perfect but practice being Christ, and that takes humble intention.

Time for Repentance?

Repentance, as we now know it is a intentional turning away from our sin. Leaving old ways and habits far behind, most of the times it will even involve “new friends” along with our new character. Repentance is absolutely a requirement of God; true salvation cannot be completed any other way. Yes you must believe, Yes you must confess your sins, Yes you must be baptized, however without repentance you are doomed…Doomed to perish, for doing all of the above without repentance would be like planting flowers, you have the flowers and the pot and the soil and some fertilizer, but no water. Without water your flowers are doomed to dry up, wither away and die. Likewise, it is for us when we do not have repentance.

Jesus, tells us in, Luke 13:3-5 (NASB95) 3 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
No better time than the present, right? Why put off to tomorrow what you can do today? These are just two sayings of the dozens, I am sure, but the wisdom they provide are immeasurable, what they mean in the area of repentance is that we must do it now and do it often. Even as believers we will fall into sin, sometimes we may not even realize that, an attitude is sinful or dwelling on certain feelings can lead to sin. However when we realize or are convicted by the Holy Spirit, we must confess and repent, scripture teaches us in, Revelation 2:5 (NASB95) 5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
This is a serious warning, some might want to take it as a threat but God does not threaten, He will warn us and let us know the consequences of our chosen actions, but it will be our choice to turn or not to turn. Make no mistake God’s desire for this would be to turn but it will be your choice. In Genesis, we are given the account of the Noah and the flood. God told the people to repent and to turn from the wicked ways, to abandon their lives of immorality, He was overly patient with them in fact, and He gave them over “One Hundred years” during this time Noah built the ark and preached to the people of his day, letting them know of Gods heartbreak over their condition. The people choose to remain in their sin, they clung to their idolatry and to their sexual immorality, you see they refused to turn to their creator and turn from their evil ways,
One of the things that I have found most interesting of the account of the days leading up to the flood is that even though Gods heart was grieved and His intention was to destroy everything. His intention was to destroy every man, woman and child, every animal, be it in the water the air including to the tiniest insect, every plant, tree, literally every living thing. God was going to destroy it all, but Noah found favor in Gods eyes and he alone with his family was spared the doom. There is a great lesson here for us today, while in those days your own righteousness was accounted to you and maybe even your family, however God knew that when left to our own righteousness there would not be many who would be able to achieve. It is here Gods love for us is shown through Jesus, again one mans righteousness was to be salvation for others. God is truly amazing and awesome in love and mercy.
John the Baptist began his ministry preaching in the wilderness of Judea with some very hard words Matthew 3:2 (NASB95) 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These are the very words that Jesus started His ministry with as well, in Matthew 4:17 (NASB95) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The word repent from the Greek is the word “Metanoeo” to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.
Now in looking at the last part of this identical statement we see that the “Kingdom of God is at hand” looking at the last word “Hand” this is the Greek word, “Eggizo” the phonetic spelling is “eng-id'-zo” this word literally means to draw or come near to, to approach
So both John the Baptist and Jesus explained or need to change our mind toward our sin (repent) for Gods Kingdom has drawn near or is to approach. With that in mind, it is very easy to see that now is the time for repentance.
We should find ourselves sorrowful over our sinful condition; our heart should be broken to the fact that we have done such evil in the face of a Holy God. In this state of sorrow we can go before God and confess our sins, and repent of them and in our sorrow, we can be made joyful. God’s formula is clear and concise, a contrite heart sorrowful over our sinful condition, given to repentance, leads to salvation through Christ.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (NASB95)9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Gods heart made joyous… You and I make our Lord’s heart sing when we come to repentance, in Luke chapter 15 Jesus tells two parables the first of the lost sheep and the second of a lost coin, and the joy that is derived when the lost is found. Now, in our natural sinful state we are lost, not that God cannot find us but that we cannot find Him. For most they do not even look for him, but Jesus tell us that God is drawing us to Himself by other people that He sends into our lives by His word, by the Holy Spirit, all who call us to this repentance, by showing us our condition. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus tell us of the joy of the angels of God over one sinner who comes to repentance. Luke 15:10 (NASB95) 10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
How awesome to know that God and His angels are so joyful over one sinful person who come to repentance. Also in the gospel of Luke Jesus tells us that he came for this purpose to call sinners to repentance not the righteous. Luke 5:32 (NASB95) 32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
I want to wind down with a trip over to the gospel of Matthew, where we will see where God stands on our self-perception of being a good person, how easy it is to be self-righteous, and some places where we set up idols or where we make other things the object of our worship. God cannot come second to anything or anyone nor should He have to.


God loved us so much that he let the true righteousness of one man Noah, keep the bloodline alive. God has loved us so much that He came and took our place of punishment, so we could know Him. While for most the cost is to high, they just could never give up the pleasures of this world for the pleasure that is to come. I dare say that is as much a lack of faith as it is a lustful desire for their own selfish pleasure, pleasure not delayed but the gratification of doing it all now. Oh how selfish man is, how depraved, how undeserving of the expensive love that God has given so freely.

If you have a child think about this…Would you let your child die out of your selfless love of another? What I am asking is consider God for just one moment. Could you send your child to be brutally beaten, spit on, nailed to a cross, just so you can have a relationship with the people who your child died for, could you do that? Lets look at the verses in Matthew, 19:16-26 (NASB95)16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. 23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”


Jesus was clear and the message is that with God “ALL” things are possible; it is only God through the blood of Christ that can get you and me through this life and be able to enter into he Kingdom of Heaven.
Who can be saved? Only the one who has been washed in the blood of Jesus!
The only way that one gets washed in His Holy blood is to accept the gift of salvation, believe that Jesus is, confess your sins to God, Die to this world, and eternity can be yours. God is the only one who knows your heart, but I can say this much, the condition of your heart will be reflected outwardly to the rest of this fallen world. After we repent we die to this world we must choose to take the narrow road, as Jesus said it is the only path to life, but he also said that few will find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NASB95)13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Therefore, Time for Repentance is today lay down your sinful selfish life, deny yourself pick up your cross and follow Jesus. My friend if you are not a “follower” then now is your time. Follow in the Greek is the word “Akoloutheo” and the definition is 1 to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him. 2 to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple.
I wanted you to clearly understand what it means to follow but you must also know one other word and it is Deny, in the Greek it is “Aparneomai” to forget one's self, lose sight of one's self and one's own interests.
We cannot do this on our own, nor does God ask it of us, but we must come to that place in ourselves that say no matter the cost “I Will Follow Jesus” no matter the cost. In Matthew 16:24 (NASB95) 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Today the hour of Repentance has come, what will you do?

Clinging to the feet of Jesus

What a week of tragedies, many times these tragedies can be means that crack the stone heart, other times people use tragedies to reinforce the wall and add another layer of height or the depth of the wall.
Though we look at life choices as many, but the truth of the matter there are generally two choices to any situation. One we can rebel, turn and haw at God claiming that He is not a God of love or justice. When we do this we set ourselves up in judgment of God, imagine, the created judging the Creator. I suspect that some who will read this will not agree and will go on their merry way, for those very people I ask one favor, please read on.
There are a few facts that we need to get clear, when Adam sinned, death and tragedy were introduced into this world.
God had given man a wonderful place to live and dwell and meaningful work to do, more importantly, He gave man a relationship with Him, He loved him enough that He walked in the garden where he dwelled. He loved man so much that He knew it was not good for him to be alone so He made him (Adam) a suitable partner/helper (Eve). Being that God is Holy and Loving and Just, He had given them one rule do not eat form the tree in the center of the garden. The day that Eve ate form the fruit and gave to her husband who was there, began a downslide that continues to this day. Tragedy and death entered this day into the world this very day. In talking about death, it was not physical but rather spiritual.
The eviction from the garden came with some harsh realities, the earth would no longer just produce, it would be by intense labor and on that note, and the woman would feel increased pain, in giving birth.
Over the history of man, we seem to come repeatedly finding ourselves staring at our own rebellion to the God who gave us life and loved us enough to give us a perfect place to live and a relationship with Him. Through all this, man continued to rebel and God continued to love. Being a Holy and Just God there were times when God had to hold us accountable, which is proper. If we are honest, we have to agree that God has always been just in His dealing with us. Actually He has been far more just than we would have been if we were able to sit on His throne.
Through it all God was willing and determined to provide for us something we were not able to and in some instances no longer interested in, a relationship with Him.
That brings us to the very means by which God would ultimately give to us as a means of relationship with Him, His very Son Jesus. It is through Jesus, through our belief in Him and by confessing Him, and following all that He commanded. Jesus taught many wonderful and inspiring truths, but one of the best for our condition and the pain that comes into our lives as a result of the nature of a fallen world is found in Matthew 11:29. It is here that Jesus instructs us “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Clinging to the feet of Jesus? When tragedy comes into our lives we will choose one of two Reponses, and as discussed earlier, we will either turn our hearts from the one who truly loves us or we will turn and cling. I do not mean to minimize anyone’s lose or the magnitude of any tragedy on ones life. My prayer is that if you are not the one who clings to the feet of Jesus, that you will.
Many people wrongly blame God for every wrong that happens in their lives, parents who lose a child, a child who loses a parent. As a parent, I cannot imagine the pain that must accompany losing of a child; I can however understand the pain of losing a parent, I lost my father at age 14. Life has taught me many things, very few were all that great, for in the eyes of the world we must rely on our own selves to get our comfort in our times of tragedy. Drugs and alcohol were then and are still the worlds antidote to suffering. This led me down a horrible and even more tragic existence, than that of a fourteen year old boy who would have just grown up without a father.
I am forty-one now, and came to truth late in life, but it is so very important, for me to convey the power of these truths. Where I came to find the most comfort and relief for my pain, the pain of a child, who turned to drugs and alcohol and who had to lived the hardest part of a child’s life without a dad, I came to this relief at the feet of Jesus.
My friends we cannot change the days passed by, we can only live today and change tomorrow. If you are at a place in life where you are dealing with the tragedy of a loss, please know that the one true God of the universe feels your pain and He shares your hurt and sense of loss. See, if you do not know the story, God knows the story of loss and of tragedy. He created this place, created two people, asked only two things, that we get to know Him, and asked us to obey only one rule. The result of that as we seen from above, the two failed and this broke His heart, several thousand years later, God sent Jesus, so He would die for us, so we could once again be able to dwell with Him. God loves you and I so much, that He sent His only Son to die for us, that is love in the highest degree. I know many do not understand or cannot equate this to love, but think about this would you send your only son to be brutalized and to die for people who do not even care? The fortunate part for us is that He did and we have a chance while we are still here to learn and apply that knowledge to our life.
If you have lost someone, especially a little one, a parent, or maybe a sibling, know this truth, you can know that God loves that child, and He is taking such wonderful care of that child. The child will experience no pain, no scrapes or boo-boo’s, never a tear to be shed. However, one does still grieve and shed tears, that one is God, He loves us so much and He does not want us to miss an opportunity to be with Him, and experience a hope in this life and in the life to come, a hope that is liberating from the may pains of this world.
We all live in this world, the same world that Jesus left Heaven to come to, so we could have the ability to come to Him in faith and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Without Jesus, there is no hope, for us or for those little ones.
Therefore, if you know Jesus, do not let the devil get a foothold in your times of tragedy, Cling to the feet of Jesus. If you do not know Jesus, I urge you, know this, we are not guaranteed one day on this planet, do not let another breath proceeded from your lungs, please turn today and ask God to forgive you of your sins, ask Him to save your soul, go and be baptized. Get into a bible believing and preaching church and get to know Jesus, and you can know the peace, He so wants you to have in Him, and you can be confident that He is not alone in wanting to see you in Heaven. Turn my friend and cling to the feet of Jesus.

The Church of Cultural Relevance or The First Church of Idolatry

It is said today that we in the church must conform to this world, or at the very least make the world comfortable in our midst. How sad of a day when the 10 Commandments are removed from our society because they offend a minority of people. How much worse when the Church of the very God who gave those commands removes them because they may offend someone?

The truly offensive here are the ones who remove Gods Word because someone may become offended. That is the worldliest bunch of garbage I have ever been confronted with. Where are the bold men of God who proclaim His Holy and Mighty Word without fear of anything or anyone? Where is this man of God today? He is not in too many pulpits today.

In our culture right now we have men in charge of the largest churches in America, and they stammer around the issues afraid to say that sin is sin. You have these wimpiest of men afraid to say that Christ is the ONLY way to be SAVED, that He alone is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE! We have men who will associate themselves with ungodly, unbelieving men who represent a cause, just because an ungodly world sees them as popular. It is akin to having Satan preaching in the pulpit. I am being general for a reason, I know who these men are and more than likely you do too. I am being so general because it is the right thing to do. My purpose is that if you are in the congregation of one of these harlots, that you yourself confront them, according to the biblical standard. Go to your brother, and confront him is he repents, you have won your brother, if he does not, go to him with two or more witnesses, and confront him again, if he refuses to repent remove the evil from your presence.

I am not in favor of churches splintering or splitting, at the same time, there are procedures for discipline in the church and they must be followed to remove those who are distorting the truth of God’s Holy Word.

Recently I listened to a sermon based on the message of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, in 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, I was completely appalled! The message of Paul was ripped out of its Historical context, and became a message that we should embrace this world and that we need to immerse ourselves in the culture, read what the culture reads, listen and watch what the culture listens to and watches, the only good in the message was he did say that we are not to sin, when we do this. According to this preacher, that is what Paul did. The only problem with that is the fact that the Apostle Paul, also know as Paul of Tarsus, who was a Jew, but was a Hellenized Jew, he grew up in a culture that was predominantly Greek/Roman. This pastor said that Paul went so far as to learn the poets and philosophers of the day, this is contextually wrong, he knew some of these things because he grew up in that culture. Let it also be known that He (Paul) considered himself a Jew of Jews. He took what he knew and used it to confront people about there unknown god, to show them that this God was not unknown to him and did not have to be unknown to them. A couple of things that this pastor forgot were, that we are not to do things which could cause another brother to stumble, and we are to be Holy for the Lord our God is Holy.

This particular pastor went as far as to say, “we are in sin if we do not contextualize” the Holy Word of God, which is to take the scriptures out of their natural context and make them apply however, the situation warrants. I am here to warn us against such pagan principles.

Situational ethics are not scriptural and they are wrong, just as this too is wrong! One the first part of this pastors statement, he is dead wrong, and man cannot pronounce what is sin, only God can tell us what sin is! As for the way we present scripture, we do need to make application that applies to our present life and time, but we cannot rip them out of their context so we can apply some cockamamie and half-baked truth. The biggest danger with these pastors is their inherent desire for us to mold to the culture to win people to Christ.

Friends we cannot win one person to Jesus, scripture is clear, faith comes by hearing. We are to be faithful in our preaching of the word of life. We are to come out of the world, we are not to be defiled by the world. In James 4:4, we see the message is clear, “You adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Do you and we really want to become once again at odds or become enemies of the God who saved us from sin and death?

Brothers and sisters, remain faithful, remain strong in the faith and challenge these ungodly methods, these worldly ways that have been introduced either by men who are blinded by the enemy or are willing participants in evil. We are called to be a Holy and Blameless people of God. James the brother of our Lord Jesus tell us in “James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

I desire to make clear they way we are to be toward this heresy that has entered into our midst, we are not to love the world or the things in it. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

We need to go forth and preach the Gospel as we are commanded but we are not to compromise with the world or the enemy or anyone in that task. NO COMPRIMISE! When we compromise our faith and God’s Word we step out of the obedience that we are called to. I want everyone who hears me preach come to know God’s mercies, His love, and the Joy that waits for His children, but I cannot compromise His Holy word to get the job done. When any man puts himself in the position that he compromises the Word of God, he just tried place himself above the Thorne of God, and that is exactly what Satan tired to do and that is the reason he was cast down form Heaven.

Friends it only makes since that Satan would continue to try to exalt himself above the Throne of God as he did before, and it makes even more sense that if he can get a man who is preaching the Word of God to stray he will get him to try to place himself above God’s Throne as well.

If we set out to make ourselves the apple of the world’s eye, if we desire their love we will find ourselves in an awful way. We have been called out of the world for a reason, and the reason is so very simple to share our joy with those we come in contact with, to share the love of Christ, to Preach His Word, to those around us, not to compromise with them. We are not going to have the love and the friendship of the world because of Christ. Jesus told us this in, “John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”


Lastly, I plea with you to fight the good fight, to race the race with a desire to win, we must confront the evil in our midst. We need to be steadfast on our resolve that we never compromise the Word of God or our relationship to Him, for any reason. Diligently seek Him and His Wisdom, for it is not the wisdom of this world. Paul tells us in Romans “12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

If you find yourself in one of these worldly churches, confront your pastor or your leadership with your concerns; confront them with love and with scripture. We have no business compromising the Word of God for when we do we set ourselves up as a supreme authority, over and against God. We are the created not the creator and should respect our place, Jesus said “if you love me then you will obey me” and we are not to add or remove from His word, and we are to do all that He commanded and teach other to do the same.

May the Lord grant us the strength we need for the battles that lie ahead!

Understanding Repentance

Repentance…

Contrition…

I wanted to start with those two words, many times we hear people speak of “repentance” or even of a “contrite heart”, so what are these and how do they help, hurt or affect us.

First, let us look at the definition of each word, to get a firm foundation to begin our understanding of what these terms mean, how and what their affects on us will be. We will look at both side of these and the affects thereof.

Merriam-Webster’s defines “Repent” as 1 : to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life 2 a : to feel regret or contrition b : to change one's mind (transitive senses) 1 : to cause to feel regret or contrition 2 : to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for. They define contrite as : grieving and penitent for sin or shortcoming 2 : proceeding from contrition


As we see, “Repentance” is a physical turning from sin, and an intentional dedicating of one’s self to the amendment of one’s life. In essence first we must have a deep rooted grieving for the sin that we commit against God and others, then we must confess and intentionally turn from these sins and never commit them again, so we may further a right relationship with God.

Let us take this a step or two further and dig deeper for a deeper meaning and an even better understanding of the true meaning of the word. Looking at the Easton’s Bible Dictionary, we find that there are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote “Repentance”.
(1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas. Matthew 27:3 (NASB95) 3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3.) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.

For Judas (who betrayed Jesus) this would have been to turn away from his betrayal of Jesus before, not to take the money, or even after taking it, refusing to lead them to Christ, but as we know this was not to be.
So it is clear that one can have a form of repentance without saving knowledge, or as stated “to which remission of sin is promised” and in order for us to have this saving type one must have a firm grasp on their own sinfulness, their own guilt before God. However, it still goes deeper than just that; we must have hatred of sin and a rightly defined conception of God’s mercy in and through Jesus. Furthermore, you must turn in submission to God and from your evil sinful desires and actions. Scripture tell us in several passages how we should treat sin and repentance.

Psalm 51:1-4 (NASB95) 1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.

Psalm 130:4 (NASB95) 4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
Psalm 109:21 (NASB95) 21 But You, O God, the Lord, deal kindly with me for Your name’s sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;

Psalm 119:128 (NASB95) 128 Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.

Psalm 51:9-11 (NASB95) 9 Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (NASB95) 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

While we now have a better understanding, we must do a little more here, like application. God has called us to repent, to turn from our wickedness to Him who is Righteous, He is our creator and the day is coming that we will acknowledge Him and His Glory. Today we may do it by our choice but the day is fast approaching that we will do it before our judgment to eternal hell. “For every knee shall bow and every tongue confess” There are three things we must do “Believe, Repent and be Baptized”,

I want to leave you with several scripture texts that hopefully will convey the urgency for our need to “Turn” May the Peace of the Lord God be with you.

Romans 14:11 (NASB95)11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.”

Philippians 2:8-12 (NASB95)8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

Revelation 3:15 (NASB95)15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.

Revelation 3:19-21 (NASB95)19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 14:11-12 (NASB95)11 “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Scripture plainly tell us that we will be a slave to sin or a slave to God. The big difference is being a slave to God has an inherent freedom, that is beyond reason and understanding, on the other hand being a slave to sin has also eternal consequences, while some might think hell is the worst of those, truly the worst is not hell but separation from God and His creation forever.

Next time we will look at why now is the time for repentance.