The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled. 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; And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the Heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (Act 3:13-15, 18-21)
Though his message to the Jews seems incomplete to those who have heard the Gospel, since he was preaching to the Jews they understood not only their national sin but also their individual part in it. Many in that day recognized not only what they had done, but who Jesus is and in response they received Him in faith. Though the religious leaders would try their best to stop this new sect, they could not stand against the Lord of creation who had given Himself for sin and to save those who are lost.
Knowing the reality of Jesus Christ, the Messiah of God, is essential unto salvation. But only knowing the facts about Him without repentance and faith in what He has done for us is factual knowledge but not saving faith. It’s like knowing all the stats and pertinent information about some star or sports figure, but having never met them nor any personal relationship with them. God calls everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and know Him, not just the facts, but a personal knowledge of Him by relationship with the living God. God demands repentance, a changing of the heart and mind, concerning sin. We must agree with Him of how wrong sin is, not just sin in general, but our sin, as an offence against a Holy and righteous God. We must be willing to turn from our sin and turn to Him who died for our sin that the wrath of God would be satisfied on behalf of all those who receive Him by faith in Him and His finished work on the Cross of Calvary for sin and our salvation.
The message of hope which the church has that through repentance and faith in Christ all who will receive Him can be born again, not giving their life to Christ, but receiving from Him a brand-new life in Christ. That doesn’t mean we won’t sin, but it does mean that we should want to sin less and less as we grow in Him and become more like Him. Just as Peter called people to repentance and faith, so the church must continue to preach and proclaim Christ, crucified for sin and resurrected and alive, that all who will may receive Him.
As long as the church is here, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet