If we look at the world through the lenses of God's Word, we can all agree that there is a need for repentance in today's world. However, many in the world today will not see a need for repentance since they do not recognize God's definition of what is right or wrong. Since there is no evil (as God defines it in His Word), there is no need to repent. This results in the situation that Paul describes in Romans 2:5-6, " But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:" Please note that we will be judged by our deeds by God whether we accept Him or not.
Our
actions reflect our heart. Jesus said in Mark 7:20-23, "And he said, That
which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the
heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
Does this not describe the world? It is only through repentance coming from the
heart and changing our lives is there salvation. Ezekiel 18:23 states,
"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?"
God
wants people to be saved but that can only come through repentance and change.
In Isaiah 55:6-7, we are told, "Seek ye the LORD
while he may be found, Call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked
forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto
the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will
abundantly pardon." Note that this verse said "Seek ye the LORD
while he may be found" which indicates we must seek Him when He is near.
There will come a time when we cannot find God for in Romans 1:28 we find,
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave
them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
convenient."
Take a look around you and examine yourself. Are you seeking the Lord or do you find yourself walking in the council of the ungodly, standing in the way of the sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1)? Psalm says, "For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the ungodly shall perish." There is only death when there is no repentance.
I would like to conclude with the words that Paul told the Athenians in Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" Paul then tells them in verse 31 why they must repent, "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." God has called for the world's repentance. What will your answer be?
Charles Royal, Decatur AL
