Refusing to Repent

World events and social movements are rapidly moving to a culmination. The leaders and followers of such movements declare that there is no creator God, that Jesus the Christ is not God, and that personal rights are superior to the moral code given by God. History reveals that failure to believe and obey the written revealed will of God in the Scriptures will be deadly for the soul. Repentance is the only thing that will save people from complete devastation.

“There is no God” is written in Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1. That’s what many people believe and to see it written in the Bible seems to confirm what they want to believe. How much easier it is to go through life if you are not subject to another authority, where you can choose whatever you want because you are a god unto yourself with rights over your own body and actions. And if you believe that, then it is easy to say that no one has a right to criticize your actions and choices, your sexual preference or orientation, your need for an abortion or your decision to end your life when you choose.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds (Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1).

Even seemingly religious people read Scripture selectively. They see certain words but ignore others claiming a deeper understanding of the intent behind the words or their cultural implications. Churches practice selective reading when they decide that elders as described in the Bible can be women although the Bible clearly states that an elder is the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:6). Other “Christian” churches have declared that it is acceptable to have practicing sinners as their leaders in direct contradiction to God’s instruction (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:8-11). Such groups have a desire to be culturally relevant and by becoming more socially acceptable they have denied the unchanging Word of God as truth.

The Bible declares that God is unchanging – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and His Word never changes. People who think that they can pick and choose those portions of Scripture they find acceptable while rejecting other words are deceived. The Bible is God’s Word to mankind; it is not a democratic charter that can be changed by two-thirds majority vote! Not even the pope of the Roman Catholic Church can change God’s Word.

Social activists have called on the Roman Catholic Church to be more accommodating in their laws as though God’s laws are subject to democratic will rather than the will of a Supreme Ruler. Such a mindset underlies the common belief that there is no God and that religious organizations are nothing more than a crutch for those who are emotionally or morally weak.

It is acknowledged that sexual orientation toward homosexuality for some may not be a conscious choice, but it is not the way God created mankind. There are many examples in the Bible that demonstrate that a person’s life may be affected by actions of someone in their family generations ago. ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations’ (Numbers 14:18). Everyone can know freedom from the bondage of sin, even sin from previous generations, however certain consequences may continue to follow, and for that, God gives the power to overcome sinful practices to live a God-pleasing life.

Evolutionists believe that there is no God and that we are the product of the right conditions that somehow began life. So through NASA, they search the planets and beyond looking for some evidence that life exists elsewhere and is not exclusive to earth where it began with Adam and Eve. However even the astronomers speak of galaxies as having a “grand design” (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap160714.html). A design requires a designer and it is so hard to look at the stars and not see the order (Romans 1:20) and laws so precise that the spacecraft Juno could be placed into a precise orbit around Jupiter.

False religions deny that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth and all that exists. These religions have many followers. By observation, Islam denies the teaching of the Bible concerning Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and fosters an environment of terror, murder and rebellion. While that is a general statement, the reality is seen in the news on a daily basis. Their god does not speak to them and their guide book is not a living book. It would seem that their greatest enemy is any Christian or Jew who calls on the Name of the Living God. Such a stance is no different than Satan’s opposition to God.

The sovereign Lord will not be swayed by world events, social movements or persistent denial of His existence. He gives everyone a window of opportunity to repent and live. For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live” (Ezekiel 18:32).

We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) but Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). He did not come to condemn us but to offer salvation so that all may be saved. To those who repent of their sin and accept the living God as supreme ruler of their lives, God offers eternal life. But those who want to stay in control of self and deny the existence of the Creator, they follow the deceiver, also called Satan, to the eternal fire of hell.

John the Baptist and Jesus both preached a message of repentance: repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). The warning remains: if you do not repent, you will perish (Luke 13:3, 5). God gives you time to repent but if you ignore Him, you will perish (Revelation 2:21). The Bible says you must repent and turn from your sin to be saved. Failure to repent while you have a chance will seal your fate forever.

Hear what the Bible says:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (Romans 1:18-32).

If you have a disagreement with these words, your disagreement is with God and Him alone. If you are offended by these words, pay attention to the message – this may be your last warning to repent.

If a man does not repent, He [God] will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready (Psalm 7:12). Anyone who says their god is a god of love and he would never judge or send anyone to hell has a different god than the God of the Bible. The true God is a loving God who sent His own Son to the world for the salvation of all people. Jesus said that He did not come into the world to judge the world but that all the world should be saved. Clearly there is something to be saved from – what is it? Hell was created for Satan and the demons who follow him – it was never designed for people. However, if people reject the salvation from sin offered by Jesus Christ, they will follow Satan to hell.

O Lord, do not Your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, But they did not weaken; You have consumed them, But they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to repent (Jeremiah 5:3). Even though God has brought correction to a rebellious people to turn them back to truth, they would not listen but instead hardened their hearts to remain in opposition to God. Failure to repent while still able seals their doom when they die.

Through the prophet Ezekiel God says, “Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you … For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.” (Ezekiel 18:30, 32).

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus warned the Pharisees that repentance must be real and visible with real change producing results (Luke 3:8). John the Baptist and Jesus had harsh words (Matthew 3:7-8) for those who tried to put on the appearance of piety as though they had repented when they had not. Real repentance always produces a change. If only words of repentance are offered but there is no change, there was no repentance.

What reason do you have to reject Jesus Christ? People use many “reasons” or excuses to deny the truth and reality of God as though He doesn’t exist. Ignoring Him is not a solution: one day you will stand before Him to give an account of your life – there is no escaping the judgment. Why not have your slate wiped clean now while you can – repent and be saved!

Some say that religion is just a crutch, a superstition, or a hold-over of ancient mystic beliefs that have no basis in science. But don’t confuse dead religions with the real life that Jesus Christ offers. Christ offers a new life that no longer practices sinful deeds. When a follower of Christ sins, that person can turn to Christ to immediately repent and receive complete forgiveness – just as though he had never sinned.

Through many signs and wonders, Jesus Christ authenticated his claim to be the Son of the living God. Even today, people see healings and amazing signs that confirm that God actively hears their prayers and requests, and responds. Unfortunately, there are many imitators who claim some spiritual power and put on a show that is fraudulent and does not bring glory to God. But when the Spirit of God brings healing, it is real and the change is permanent. I speak from experience.

“I was born that way.” In fact, this is a true statement of every person – we were born with a sin nature built in due to the way sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. However some have used that statement to say that God created them that way even though the Bible clearly declares that such characteristics and actions are contrary to God’s will. Some “churches” have made God to appear to be a liar when they endorse the very things that God says He opposes.

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted (1 Timothy 1:8-11).

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

If a leader of a church actively and unrepentantly practices the deeds described, he  displeases God, and will be judged. God is not swayed by social movements or world events – He is the same forever and what was sin 4000 years ago (Genesis 18:20) is still sin.

God created you for eternal life with Him but Satan rebelled against God and has attempted to thwart God plans for fellowship with His creation by tempting us to rebel against Him through our deeds, our thoughts, our denial of His existence and desire to be our own god.

God has provided salvation through Jesus Christ and no one else: repent and believe, and through believing, serve the living God who created you and enjoy real life!

 

One thought on “Refusing to Repent

  1. Lorraine

    Thanks for a clear message of what God says about what repentance is and what needs to be repented of.

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