"REPENT, OR PERISH"

In Luke 13, Christ twice declared: "Except ye repent, ye shall perish" Vs. 3-5.

He likewise upbraided the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, where he had preformed many mighty works..."because, they repented not" (Luke 10:13). Christ said that the doom of these cities would be worse than that of Sodom (Matthew 11:20-24).

- Paul told the learned men of Athens the same thing. In Acts 17:30 31, he said: "But now he commandeth men that they should everywhere repent."

These are enough to show that God demands repentance.
Repentance is not all God requires of us, but without true repentance, our endeavors would be void in the spiritual realm.

Repentance is a hard command. When John the Baptist told Herod that his marriage was in violation of God's will, it cost him his life! The will of man is changed in true repentance, therefore it smacks at man's own desires.

Some have said that sorrow is repentance. This is not true. True repentance enjoins sorrow but one can be sorrowful yet still never repent toward God.

A person can be sorrowful of being caught in sin. After one has been approached on error in his life...often times he will weep and cry aloud--but, this is not proof of repentance.

The Bible says "godly sorrow" leads to, or produces repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).

- Judas repented, and hanged himself!
- Simon Peter repented, and changed his life.

These two examples are enough to show that "true repentance" leads to a changed life and mind.

True repentance is produced through an understanding of our true situation before God and a willingness to admit wrong. We will allow godly sorrow to lead us to see the need of giving up the way of life that is contrary to the will of God.

True repentance will cause us to "clean up" our lives with humble obedience to the will of God.

When a person truly repents, he will have a right attitude toward all God reveals through his word for man to do. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), Christ was preached and the people cried out (realizing their lost condition), "what must we do?"

Peter said, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you."

The people gladly obeyed. Some 3,000 souls were added to the church that day.

This is what happens when people truly Repent. They will change their mind and their ways. They will then be glad to do anything the Lord commands.

- Dan Carter