Mark 1:15(KJV)
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
After Jesus defeated the devil with the Word of God in the wilderness, many events took place. First, He hears about the imprisonment of John the Baptist. Then, there is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 9:1-2 that spoke about Jesus being the Light that would bring help to a people under the shadow of death. The next time, He began to preach the necessity of repentance and the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven. This message of the Kingdom of Heaven was the main message Jesus preached while He was on earth. The Gospel brought change and light to all in the dark. That is, the Gospel of change brings repentance, and repentance brings times of refreshing from the Presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19 says, “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.” Despite the Power of the Holy Spirit at work with signs and wonders, the apostles did not mince words in declaring Heaven’s demand for God’s children to repent.
We see people confessing their sins to God and promising Him never to return to them again. But as soon as they leave the altar of repentance, they begin to live as before. God requires His children to repent sincerely of their sins and live. Ezekiel 18:32 says, “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” God wants all His children to Repent and Live. He does not take delight in the death of anyone. God takes pleasure in the return of a sinner. He is opening the door of Salvation to all His children; all we need to do is enter and live. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God, through His Son, has extended an open invitation to all humanity to come to Him for eternal life. Jesus said I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly(John 10:10). Be part of this abundant life Jesus promised us. Our commitment to God will determine our fulfillment in this time and eternity. God is merciful to forgive us all our sins, so let us cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, surrendering our lives to Jesus. In this season and beyond, let the whole world recognize that we have given our lives to Christ when they see the undeniable proof of the fruits of repentance in us.
Beloved, take stock of your life, see where you have fallen short of the Glory of God, and repent. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and repent of every act of unrighteousness now. Ask God to forgive your sins, for He is merciful to forgive all your sins. Surrender your life to Jesus if you have not done that, for He loves you. If you are reading this and want to give your life to Jesus Christ or ask God to forgive your sin, pray this prayer, for tomorrow may be too late! “Lord Jesus, I come before You today, for I am a sinner. Forgive me for my sins and make me a new person. Help me, Lord, to fulfill Your will. Today, I have decided to follow You, Jesus, no turning back, forward ever, backward never. I accept You as my Lord and personal Savior. Thank You, Lord, for saving me.” I pray that the hold of sin breaks off you and the grace to live for God is released on you now in Jesus’ Name. If saved, don’t waste your life sitting in a pew. Get busy using that spiritual gift. The fields of this world are ripe for harvest. So, go out there and save a soul for Christ. God bless you as you bear fruits worthy of repentance in Jesus’ Name. Remember, genuine repentance brings refreshing from the Presence of God Almighty. It brings unspeakable joy full of glory and restores you to your former position.
O Lord, I connect to the grace to live a life that is pleasing to You. Today, help me spread Your Message of Repentance to the lost in Jesus’ Name.