Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:3
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 17:3
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
It's been a while since I have actually sat down and written a new blog, so bare with me if I don't get my point across very well.
I've been doing alot of thinking about what it means to be truly sorry for something. I know that before I was saved I would always say the sinners prayer and tell God I was sorry for all of the things I had done. Was I really sorry? NO! Since I wasn't really sorry it should be easy to see why I was never really getting saved by reciting the sinner's prayer. It is of the utmost importance that when we ask for forgiveness, that we realize and are truly sorry about our sinful lives.
Today's verses show us how important true repentance is. In Mark 1:4 John is preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Same message in Luke 3:3. It's very important when we look at Luke 5:31-32 that we see who Jesus came to call. Not the righteous but the sinners who REPENT. Luke 17:3 In steve terms this says if someone sins explain it to them, but if they repent then forgive them. We forgive them because they are repentant. Why? Because He forgives us if we are truly repentant.
The bottom line to all of this is simply for you to think about your life. Think about when you said the sinners prayer or came forward in front of the church to get saved. Were you really sorry for your sinful life? Did or do you really believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for YOU? If not, please just pray that God will show you His grace through Jesus.
My book is going good. Please keep telling people you know who may want to hear the no frills truth about biblical salvation. Go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and look for "30 Days of Conviction"
God Bless!
