Today's Sermon Was About Repentance

Brother Lambert has been covering the basics steps in accepting Christ's salvation. So far he's covered hearing, believing, and today he preached about repentance.

We all sin, Christian or not (Rom. 3:23). Repentance simply means an change of direction brought about by a change of heart (1 Thess. 1:9-10). It really is that simple. Christians slip up and sin too, like I said, but they choose not to remain in a sinful condition, but acknowledge their sins to God, sometimes publicly and sometimes privately, and repent. They get back on track and gain control over whatever is tempting them. They choose to live by the Spirit instead (Gal. 5: 16-17).

There was one lengthy passage of scripture that Brother Lambert mentioned, but in the interest of time he did not expound upon it, but told us to read it for ourselves. It's Hebrews 3: 7 through 4: 11. It pertinent part it can be summarized as such:

No other human can stand in someone's way if they choose to be saved. Repentance is a voluntary action as God allows us to be free, moral agents. However, individuals can have battles going on within themselves that act as roadblocks to repentance. Their hearts can become hardened, leading them further into rebellion (3:8). They can have a sinful, unbelieving heart brought about by hard-heartedness (3:12). Some are unable to accept the truth of the gospel in faith and choose to mentally discard it (4:1-2).

God does say that disobedience will keep us from entering His rest (eternal life)(4:3-11). He also states that time is of the essence (4:7, 11). None of us are promised another day of life. I don't mean to be macabre, but beautiful, young people die every day in just as many numbers as the old and infirm. I don't know if God will allow me to live through the night or to make it to and from work tomorrow before I'm called to my eternal home. The best policy is just to stay on top of your spiritual house. None of us will ever be perfect, but we can be redeemed and ready to meet Him whenever that time comes.

Love Ya,
God Bless!