S ~ “Perhaps the people of Judah will repent when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings.””
Jeremiah 36:3 NLT
O ~ God was unable to forgive the sins of the nation without their repentance. His desire was to forgive, and that’s why He sent prophets, over and over, to proclaim the need for repentance and to warn of the impending consequences. Still, the people would not listen, and God was unable to forgive.
A ~ It’s not that God was unwilling, but unable. It’s just the way things work. He is so willing to forgive the entire world, but without repentance, it is impossible. The holiness and justice and righteousness of God is as much a part of Him as His love and grace and mercy. He can’t be Who He isn’t. He can’t just let things slide. If He did, it all falls apart. Everything. As Jesus understood in the garden fo Gethsemane, there was no other way. Sin had to be paid for, and the wages of sin is death. The wages of unrepentant sin is still death, but the gift of God through repentance is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
P ~ Lord, may I discover ways to credibly and wisely bring the welcome message of the Kingdom (you are invited), and the warning message of the Kingdom (you must repent), in ways that are effective and reach people before it’s too late.
No comments:
Post a Comment