We have heard it said that both John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching messages of ‘repentance’. (Mark 1:4, Matt. 4:17). On the day of Pentecost, after the incredible outpouring of God’s Spirit on the early believers that in one sense, ‘activated’ the life and the mission of the ‘church’, Peter stood up and gave quite the sermon ending it with an altar call of sorts when asked: “Brethren- what must we do?”; to which Peter admonished them...”Repent!”.... (Acts 2:37-38)

For all this talk we read about in our Bibles regarding the subject of ‘repentance’, do we even know what it is we are needing to repent from, let alone understand what the word itself even means?

I could be wrong, but I want to say that if you asked the average church member today for a simple definition and/or explanation for the word ‘repentance’, I like to think they would get it right, or be close. It would probably sound something akin to the idea of ‘turning away from our sins’.

If one was to pursue that discussion and ask ‘what sins are we supposed to turn from?’, I’m hoping we would be told: ‘all of them’.

Breaking the conversation down even more, which some might find annoying, one might seek clarification asking...are we supposed to just ‘sin less often’, or not as bad as we used to sin, or are we supposed to go and ‘sin no more’, like Jesus told others. Some might consider that a ‘trick question’’; but hopefully the well-meaning believer would affirm the latter, as in ‘sin no more’. But no doubt a brief commentary would follow clarifying how ‘everyone knows, including God, that we can’t do that’(sin on more).

So if you then asked: “Do you still sin?” ... undoubtedly you would be assured: “of course they still sin... Everybody sins...nobody is perfect.”

Which then leads me to the question we really need to address and that is this: “IF we are commanded to ‘repent...and turn away from our sins...and yet we still continue to sin, have we truly repented?”

Hopefully that question would at least give us some pause for contemplation. I suppose a question to deflect that one might be a response seeking more clarification as to what ‘sin’ actually is; but we can come back to that later.

Once more- If we are commanded to repent, and to turn away from our sins (or sinning), and we continue to ‘sin’, have we truly repented?.

Now allow me to explain why this is such an important question.

John the Baptist came preaching his message of repentance warning us to ‘flee from the wrath to come.” (Matt. 3:7). He then admonished that we better ‘bear fruits worthy of repentance.” (8). That in itself could be a great topic of study. He continues on... talking about some ‘ax’ that is ‘already laid to the root of the trees’ (10) and how ‘every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire’. This sounds rather serious - this idea about producing ‘fruits worthy of repentance’.

Oh, and that comment about ‘fleeing from the wrath to come’...you do know by now, what Jesus came to ‘save’ us from, yes? It was the ‘wrath of God’. (Rom. 5:9)

So now Jesus arrives on the scene and seems to pick up where John left off...Preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17)

We soon read one of many encounters that Jesus would have with the religious establishment who were offended by this message of repentance He was peddling. They certainly did not see any need of repenting. I have to wonder at times how many in the church today have a similar mindset, curious as to what on earth would they need to repent of given all the ways in which they have been serving God and His church?

And Jesus answered and said to them “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

Then we come to chapter 13:1-5 (in Luke) where Jesus was asked about some tragic things that had befallen some Galilean citizens. If you are not familiar with this passage, you might want to turn there and let’s examine it carefully. It is unclear as to how they actually died, but what followed their deaths regarding how Pilate used their blood has a bit of an ominous feel to it. But listen to what Jesus asked those in attendance and then immediately answers His own question:

“Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?”

This is a significant question because we tend to think that when ‘really bad things happen to really bad people, they must have had it coming. Some folks refer to this as ‘Karma’, that is unless it happens to ‘good people’ like them. Then they are just being ‘tested’ with little understanding as to why.

Now listen to how Jesus answers His own question: “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will ALL ...likewise...perish.” (3)

Did you notice what Jesus did Not say here? He did not expound on why ‘bad things happen to good people’, following up how life is full of struggles and trials and suffering and we just need to trust God because all things work out for the good and God won’t put more on you than you can bear.’.

Nor did he exonerate those Galileans by saying they were ‘not sinners’, either and undeserving of what happened to them. He just cautioned those to whom He was speaking to not rush to conclusions thinking they were any better off or more righteous than those who suffered that way.

But then Jesus repeats this same line of thinking using a different scenario where 18 people were killed when a tower collapsed on them in Siloam, and He them asked the same exact question – “Do you think they were worse sinners than all the other who dwelt in Jerusalem?” (4). And once again, the caution about not jumping to conclusions telling them once more: “No, they were not...and if you don’t repent, you will all...likewise...perish.” (5)

Could you take a moment here and consider what He is trying to communicate to us all?

Let’s try explaining it this way: “If you don’t stop sinning, you will surely be destroyed!” Do you realize what He is saying here? All sin...has a ‘bulls-eye’ on it. Sin brings death and wrath and judgment and curses. Sin is breaking the commandments of God. (1 John 3:4) Sin gives place to the devil who comes to ‘steal, kill, and destroy’. (John 10:10; Eph. 4:27).

Jesus did not say ‘sin less’, He said: “Go, and sin no more or something worse will happen to you.” (John 5:14). Since God commands all men everywhere to ‘repent’ (Acts 17:30), and Jesus came preaching for all men to ‘repent and follow Him’, what do you think will happen to those who don’t actually ‘repent’? I can tell you what Peter said in one of his earlier sermons when he connected a promise Moses had spoken to their fathers. Speaking of a future day when God would raise up ‘The Prophet’, Jesus...he said we better ‘hear Him in all things, whatever He says to you and every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3:22-23). It was Not...a 'threat', it was a warning.

You would like to think by now, we have learned that God means what He says. And should you be in the company of those who are saying to themselves – “Well I know I sin daily and nothing that bad has happened to me,” then let me caution you and encourage you to go and read Luke 13:1-5 one more time. Because if you continue to sin, not only do you remain a ‘slave to sin’ (John 8:34) but neither can you claim you have truly repented. And what does Jesus say in both vs. 3 and 5 there about those who do not repent?

There is more than I want to follow up with on this topic and Lord willing, I will tomorrow. But let me leave you with this thought to ponder, one I have shared here before. All the ‘evident deeds of the flesh nature’ that Paul lists in Gal. 5:19-21 are sin. To be carnally minded, makes you hostile and an enemy of God. (Rom. 8:7-8). And if you continue to live according to that flesh nature, you will surely die. (Rom. 8:13) God was not kidding when He commands us to ‘put this old man/nature to death’ which can only be done when we surrender to Him, take up our cross, make Him Lord of our life, and follow Him. (Luke 6:46; Rom. 8:13-14)

But when we find ‘another road we think will get us to heaven’(2 Cor. 11:3-4), then we tend to leave that old man alone, letting him tag along, maybe keeping him under wraps when we’re around other ‘good church folk’. And yet, every time you sin, or show out in the flesh, or break God’s commandment, you are in a sense, ‘ringing the dinner bell’ telling Satan to ‘Come and get it!!”

Why would I suggest such a thing? Go back to Genesis 3 and look at the curse God put on the serpent- “...on your belly you shall go and you shall eat dust all the days of your life...” (14). Warning- ‘spiritual insight’ coming....

....what is man’s ‘flesh’ made out of? - “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” (19)

In the same way scraps of food and crumbs that are left out attract unwanted pests, so do 'Sins of the flesh attract all kinds of unwanted 'spiritual varmints'. Be not deceived brethren...God is not mocked....you sow to the flesh and from the flesh you will reap destruction.’ (Gal. 6 :7-8)

Would you please finish up reading 2 Peter 3:9 on your own to be reminded why God loves you so much.