THURSDAY November 3, 2022
Repent!
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:38-39
“What shall we do?” This was the question asked by Jews deeply convicted by the Holy Spirit. God did an amazing work in their hearts as they experienced true conviction. Peter led them to Jesus Christ, to conversion, not by the Law, but through God’s grace. Peter’s first instruction was for them to “repent!”
John the Baptist preached a message of repentance: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). Right from the beginning of His ministry, Jesus preached repentance, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). It is also one of the messages Paul preached to the idolatrous men of Athens:
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Jesus] whom He has ordained” (Acts 17:30-31).
Listen, no one can come into the kingdom of God unless they truly repent. The word repent means “to change your mind.” You no longer have the same lifestyle––your mind and heart change. The direction of your life is turned around, and you go the opposite way. God has touched your heart, and there is a deep sorrow and regret for what you have done. Salvation is instant. A repentant person receives eternal life. As a person reads God’s Word, they continue to have a gradual change. Others seemingly accept the Lord, but no real change is seen in their lives. They soon forget about God and go right back to their old habits. This is not a true conversion. When ministering to others, give them the truth of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will convict them of sin. As they come to know Jesus Christ, pray for a genuine conviction and true repentance.
Repentance is an inner change of heart and mind and an outward change of life.
~John Blanchard~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
