Go the Other Way GC 14 January Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17When Jesus came preaching the good news of the gospel, He said to the people, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. What did Jesus mean by this? Change your mind and come My way. Turn around and go a different direction. Come into the kingdom of heaven. He was offering life to the people of His day, but for them to receive it, they had to repentor change their will. They had to choose Gods way of doing and being right. Thats what repentance is. Its not just being sorry for something youve done, or sorrowful over a situation. It means changing your mind. It means changing your willchanging your direction. Its choosing God and His way. Its a return to obedience. When we sin and miss the mark, to make things right, we have to repent. Jesus then forgives us of our sins and we are cleansed by His blood (1 John 1:7, 9). He is our advocate with our heavenly Father. Romans 2:4 says the goodness of God leads men to repentance. If youve never been born again, repent and ask Jesus to be your Savior. Make Jesus the Lord of your life right now and begin to move in Gods direction. If you are a believer, repentance includes choosing to obey God. It is turning back to Gods ways when you realize youve sinned and missed the mark. As a Spirit-filled Christian, you know deep down inside what God wants you to do. Now, you may not want to do it, but that knowing is on the inside of you. When you repent, you not only ask for forgiveness, but you put away from yourself that which displeases God. It includes submitting to doing something God has asked you to do. Its turning from the direction youve been going, and turning to the direction Gods told you to go. I dont care what youve done…or what you may do in the future…whether you are a believer or not, if you repent, God will forgive you and receive you. You will be cleansed and made new by the blood of Jesus. You can live a life of obedience to Him. Dont condemn yourself, or live a life full of guilt. Repent! Thats all you have to do. Just ask God for forgiveness and go the other way. Go toward God in that area of your life.Genesis 29-30; Matthew 16I repent and turn away from sin for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17
Scripture Reading: Luke 15
