Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isaiah 1:4, 9-10, 16-20
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Repentance. Too Harsh a Message?
My spirit is plagued by the thought that some people think the message of repentance is to too harsh a message—for this type of ministry, for that type of ministry, for any type of ministry. Jesus worked every type of ministry, from the religious folks, to the streets, to the demon-possessed, to the working class, you name it. In fact, John the Baptist, Jesus, all 12 disciples sent out 2x2, Peter and Paul all preached repentance in their ministries.
Repentance is too harsh a message? Isn’t that just what the enemy would have us all to believe? Without repentance there is no forgiveness and cleansing of sins. Without repentance there is no walking in the power of the Spirit. Without repentance we are separated from God because of our sins.
Repentance is too harsh a message? Did Jesus think so when He told the multitude it is better to cut off your hand or foot than to sin and go to hell? (Matt 5:30, Matt 18:8) People seem to have characterized Jesus as one who just went around hugging everyone into the kingdom. Um…hello! Have we read our Bibles? Jesus went around offending the masses. It wasn’t just the religious zealots He offended, which many choose to believe. At one point, He even offended His own followers—to the point that MANY of His disciples turned away from Him and followed Him no more. They said, “This is an hard saying, who can hear it?” (John 6:60) Did Jesus worry that the truth would be too hard for some? Absolutely not. In fact, He further pointed out to those that were offended, The flesh profits nothing (Jn 6:63). Jesus didn’t worry about offending people because He knew that there were those whose hearts had been prepared to receive the truth. We need to stop thinking it is us who are “winning” souls to the kingdom. Such arrogance! No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him (John 6:44, 6:65). It is God alone who opens hearts to receive Him, who opens ears to hear the truth. It is not our gentle words that woo people into “accepting” Jesus. This is a flesh-pleasing, numbers-counting mentality. True converts to Jesus Christ know they are wretched sinners who must repent of their sinful ways. Oh wait, but Jesus never preached “repent or perish” (as I’ve heard countless people tell me). Really? “…except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” So important that He said it twice…back to back (Lk 13:3, 5). What was the common message from Jesus to most of the seven churches in revelation? REPENT. Are we even reading the same Bibles?
Did Peter worry about being too harsh when he blatantly told the Jews: You killed the Prince of life, now repent? (Acts 3:16-19). Did Paul worry about being too harsh when he told the idolaters, God no longer winks at ignorance, now repent? (Acts 17:30). Why then are we a generation of Christians who fears that God’s truth is too harsh? Maybe if we’d stop worrying about making everybody feel OK about where they’re at, the rampage of sin and abomination would not be destroying this country. Maybe if we worried more about what God thought, then we would truly see families restored, bondages broken, freedom from oppression, miracles of lives TRULY changed to reflect the new creatures that we are in Christ Jesus. We would see disciples rise who know what holiness and humility are before the Lord, who know how to fight the spiritual battles with spiritual warfare, and how to stand firm in the Spirit of God until the end.
You know that repentance/repent is preached/written 42x in the New Testament. Why did Jesus come? Not why do we think He came, but why does HE say He came? To call the sinners to repentance (Matt 9:13, Mk 2:17, Lk 5:32). What does Jesus say should be preached to all nations? Repentance and remission of sins (Lk 24:47).
Some will tell you that addressing sin or pointing out the need for repentance is judgment or condemnation. That is foolishness. Don’t believe such a lie nor allow it to direct your path. If that is so, then Jesus judged and condemned everyone He preached to, for the Word tells us that from the start of His ministry, He preached repentance (Matt 4:17). This is love. That people can hear the truth and the truth can set them free.
People are going to be offended. That is the nature of the gospel. Jesus was killed for it; the disciples were beaten, cast away from society, murdered for it. Christians today are mocked, humiliated, tortured, and murdered for it. Either you are a true follower of Jesus Christ and accept that our place is not in accordance with this world or you are not. We don’t get to choose what truth is OK (or gentle enough to preach) and what isn’t. God’s word is God’s word.
So, the next time you go to share Jesus with someone and hesitate when the thought of repentance comes, remember exactly what it is you are denying: the very essence of the gospel message.
Repentance is too harsh a message? Isn’t that just what the enemy would have us all to believe? Without repentance there is no forgiveness and cleansing of sins. Without repentance there is no walking in the power of the Spirit. Without repentance we are separated from God because of our sins.
Repentance is too harsh a message? Did Jesus think so when He told the multitude it is better to cut off your hand or foot than to sin and go to hell? (Matt 5:30, Matt 18:8) People seem to have characterized Jesus as one who just went around hugging everyone into the kingdom. Um…hello! Have we read our Bibles? Jesus went around offending the masses. It wasn’t just the religious zealots He offended, which many choose to believe. At one point, He even offended His own followers—to the point that MANY of His disciples turned away from Him and followed Him no more. They said, “This is an hard saying, who can hear it?” (John 6:60) Did Jesus worry that the truth would be too hard for some? Absolutely not. In fact, He further pointed out to those that were offended, The flesh profits nothing (Jn 6:63). Jesus didn’t worry about offending people because He knew that there were those whose hearts had been prepared to receive the truth. We need to stop thinking it is us who are “winning” souls to the kingdom. Such arrogance! No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him (John 6:44, 6:65). It is God alone who opens hearts to receive Him, who opens ears to hear the truth. It is not our gentle words that woo people into “accepting” Jesus. This is a flesh-pleasing, numbers-counting mentality. True converts to Jesus Christ know they are wretched sinners who must repent of their sinful ways. Oh wait, but Jesus never preached “repent or perish” (as I’ve heard countless people tell me). Really? “…except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” So important that He said it twice…back to back (Lk 13:3, 5). What was the common message from Jesus to most of the seven churches in revelation? REPENT. Are we even reading the same Bibles?
Did Peter worry about being too harsh when he blatantly told the Jews: You killed the Prince of life, now repent? (Acts 3:16-19). Did Paul worry about being too harsh when he told the idolaters, God no longer winks at ignorance, now repent? (Acts 17:30). Why then are we a generation of Christians who fears that God’s truth is too harsh? Maybe if we’d stop worrying about making everybody feel OK about where they’re at, the rampage of sin and abomination would not be destroying this country. Maybe if we worried more about what God thought, then we would truly see families restored, bondages broken, freedom from oppression, miracles of lives TRULY changed to reflect the new creatures that we are in Christ Jesus. We would see disciples rise who know what holiness and humility are before the Lord, who know how to fight the spiritual battles with spiritual warfare, and how to stand firm in the Spirit of God until the end.
You know that repentance/repent is preached/written 42x in the New Testament. Why did Jesus come? Not why do we think He came, but why does HE say He came? To call the sinners to repentance (Matt 9:13, Mk 2:17, Lk 5:32). What does Jesus say should be preached to all nations? Repentance and remission of sins (Lk 24:47).
Some will tell you that addressing sin or pointing out the need for repentance is judgment or condemnation. That is foolishness. Don’t believe such a lie nor allow it to direct your path. If that is so, then Jesus judged and condemned everyone He preached to, for the Word tells us that from the start of His ministry, He preached repentance (Matt 4:17). This is love. That people can hear the truth and the truth can set them free.
People are going to be offended. That is the nature of the gospel. Jesus was killed for it; the disciples were beaten, cast away from society, murdered for it. Christians today are mocked, humiliated, tortured, and murdered for it. Either you are a true follower of Jesus Christ and accept that our place is not in accordance with this world or you are not. We don’t get to choose what truth is OK (or gentle enough to preach) and what isn’t. God’s word is God’s word.
So, the next time you go to share Jesus with someone and hesitate when the thought of repentance comes, remember exactly what it is you are denying: the very essence of the gospel message.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
God is Pleading, Are you Listening?
God is pleading with His people. Repent. Why will you choose to die when you can live? He has given us the way. He has shown us two ends to every decision we make. God is not a liar, yet His mercy endures and is new every day. Now is the day of salvation. Some say God is this or God is that, but He is exactly what His Word says - nothing less, nothing more. Praise God for His truth and the sacrifice of Jesus that brings us into a perfect relationship with Him, if we would only turn away from those things that hold us back.
Ezekiel 18:23-32 KJV
"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the LORD is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the LORD is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
Ezekiel 18:23-32 NLT
"Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins. Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I. Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!
Ezekiel 18:23-32 KJV
"Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Yet ye say, The way of the LORD is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the LORD is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
Ezekiel 18:23-32 NLT
"Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins. Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I. Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!
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