Calendar

IT IS TIME TO REPENT!
FRIDAY, JULY 25
Luke 13:1-9

Acts 2:38-40

 

“…except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”

 

IT IS TIME TO REPENT!
 
Many a time we think that disasters befall certain people because they are great sinners. Such judgments are often passed with smugness. Those people who die terrible deaths must be greater sinners than us, we think. Since we have escaped such a horrible end, we are not so bad. Jesus warned all who view themselves like this with these words, “Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” In other words, everyone deserves to be punished by God. The Apostle Paul describes all of us as equally wicked and sinful, “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom 3:9-18). There are no exceptions. All deserve to die for “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).
 
In His fig tree parable, Jesus stressed the fact that true repentance will result in fruitfulness. It is not just a “change of mind” but a complete turnaround of the whole person in thought, word and deed. There are those who say they have repented, but their lives do not show it. The Pharisees and Sadducees were such people. Read John’s command in Matthew 3:8,10.
 
The fig tree here probably represents the nation of Israel. For three years, the Lord had been seeking fruit from Israel, but found none. If no fruit was forthcoming in another year, He would cut Israel off (Mark 11:12-14; Matt 21:18-19). Indeed Israel was eventually cut off because of unbelief (Rom 11:20). But this cutting off would be for a season only. God will one day restore Israel after a period of chastisement. Read Romans 11:25-26.
 
THOUGHT: “The beginning of repentance is the confession of guilt.” (Calvin)

PRAYER: Father, I confess and repent of my sins.

Search