"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:14-15
What did the Old Testament prophets teach? "Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin" (Ezek. 18:30; Cf. Jonah 3).
What did John the Baptist preach? "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Mark 1:4).
What did Jesus preach? "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15).
What did Jesus command His disciples to preach? That "it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:46-47).
What did Peter preach on the day of Pentecost? "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ..." (Acts 2:38).
What do ministers preach today? "It's OK. God loves you. Don't judge; just love everybody."
What's wrong with this picture? Have we forgotten to preach repentance from sin and dead works, and faith in Christ Jesus and His blood shed upon the cross for the sins of the world? Have we forgotten our need of repentance -- to turn from our sinful ways to God for mercy and forgiveness for Jesus' sake? Have we forgotten our need for daily contrition and repentance?
God's Word says: "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (Ezek. 33:11).
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness ... If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 1:8-9, 2:1-2).
The message of God's Word to you and to me is this: We are, by nature, sinful and unclean and we live in a world headed for judgment. If we continue on in our own selfish and sinful ways and follow the course of this world, we will be judged and condemned to the eternal torments of hell. Rather, God would have us repent of our evil ways and turn to Him for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the sacrifice of the Son, Messiah Jesus. He calls us by His Word, and His Spirit convicts us of our sin and guilt and offers us full pardon and life in Christ Jesus.
O gracious God, we are sinful and unclean and have gone our own way -- a way which leads to eternal death and damnation. Have mercy upon us. Forgive us for Jesus' sake. And lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible]
Editorial on 01/24/2018