Repentance is not old-fashioned. It actually is the key to all good and perfect things God has in store for us.

“He commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30

Our today’s insights say to us, God commands all people everywhere to repent. Repentance is not an old-fashioned word, as some people think. Toba Beta is an author of Indonesia, a writer of a roman fantasy novel, and a poet who wrote, “An arrogant laughs at repentance.” Ted Chiang said, ” Nothing erases the past. There is repentance, there is atonement, and there is forgiveness. That is all, but that is enough.”

Beloved, repentance is the key to all good and perfect things God has in store for our lives. However, these days people, even the Christian teachers and pastors avoid the word ‘repent’ because they think it would hurt people’s feelings.

At the same time, they are eager to talk about other people’s faults and mistakes, but when it comes to their faults, they try to hide it or ignore it. When something bad happens to others, we sometimes think it is because of their wrongdoings, sins, and mistakes that caused it. However, we conveniently ignore our errors, sins, and mistakes.

When the people reported to Jesus about a tower that collapsed and eighteen people died instantly, He grabbed the opportunity to remind them about the vital need for repentance. Jesus said, “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:3

According to the words of Jesus, there are only two alternatives – repent or perish. You see, repentance opens up the way to all good things God has for us, and the absence of repentance opens up the road to destruction and ruin. God does not want us to perish, and therefore He lovingly calls us to repentance.

Did you see our insights today say He commands all people everywhere to repent? First of all, repentance is the command of God. Secondly, it has to be obeyed by all people everywhere. There is no distinction for repentance. God commands all to repent. Rich, poor, strong, weak, white, black, brown, educated, uneducated, urban, rural, civilized, and uncivilized all are called to repent. We can not say to God that I do not need to repent. Why? Bible says the truth about all people everywhere and that truth is this “There is no one righteous, not even one;” Romans 3:10. Bible also says, There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. In other words, there is no difference between nations, people groups, colors, and races. All have sinned. No exception, Period!

Hence, He commands all people everywhere to repent. It is the dire necessity of all people everywhere. Believers in Christ also should repent and turn to God on a going basis because if we claim we have not sinned, we are making God a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10). Repentance is a marvelous, excellent, and beautiful opportunity and privilege to enjoy all God’s best here on earth and throughout eternity.
Repentance is a beautiful privilege. Think if we did not have the opportunity to repent. How pathetic our condition would have been? We would be lost and go on the way of destruction. No one to help and save us. Praise and thank God, He lovingly and graciously calls us to repentance, and He promises He will forgive our sins, wash us and cleanse us from all our unrighteous actions if we repent and turn to God in repentance.

Remember on the cross one of the criminals during the last moment of his life on that cross heard Jesus Christ saying this, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Immediately, he turned to Jesus and repented about His sins and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” In effect, he was saying Jesus I heard what you just now said, I am sorry for my crimes, I repent and remember me and help me. Immediately Jesus said, “truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Can you imagine what peace, joy, and blessings covered his guilty heart in the last moments of his life?

Jesus died on the cross for our sins. You know cross has two main parts – one part going up and the other part going to two sides. He gathered the repentant criminal on the one hand and joined his sinful hand to the hand of the holy God in heaven. Only Jesus can do this for you and me because Jesus shed His sinless and divine blood for our sins. Jesus says come to Me. Will you listen to His loving call, repent your past life and run to Him? He will take you in His arms and join you to God the Father in heaven. You will become a child of God and will be with Him in paradise the moment you die. Bible says this about the one who dies after accepting Jesus Christ as the savior in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “away from the body and at home with the Lord.” The next moment when the criminal died this was true about him.  Away from the body and at home with the Lord in heaven.

Beloved repentance rewards us with countless blessings from God. The most important one is your salvation and eternal life in heaven. How can we ignore such a great salvation? You can repent and come to Jesus right now in a small prayer with me. I will help you.

“Father in heaven, I know the sins I have committed against you. I need your forgiveness. I repent of my sinful life and actions. I believe in Jesus Christ, the savior of the whole world, who died and rose again for my sins. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Thank you for granting me forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. Amen.”