Repent
by Mark Schubert
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Do you think that these … were worse sinners? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish (Luke 13 2,5).
When bad things happen to someone, is God punishing them for their sins?
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans killed by Pilate when sacrificing to God. Jesus responded to their unasked question, ‘Do you think that these… were worse sinners? … No …’ (Luke 13:2,3a).
No, they were not worse sinners than anyone else – the same for those killed by the collapse of a tower. No, they were not more guilty than others.
All of us are sinners. None worse than any other.
We can all say with Paul, ‘the good that I want to do I can’t, instead I do the evil I don’t want to do’ (Romans 7:19).
All are sinners inside – some can hide it better than others, but we are all turned in on ourselves, egocentric, hard-hearted – building walls, cutting ourselves off from each other by our thoughts and actions, working towards the final separation, death. ‘The wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23).
‘But unless you repent, you too will all perish’ (Luke 13:5).
To repent is to be sorry, to admit your selfishness and inability to change. Jesus started his mission with, ‘Repent and believe the good news!’ (Mark 1:15). Confess your sinfulness, and turn to the good news that you have been forgiven.
Jesus came to die for you – to take your death, to forgive you. And he rose again to live in you. He gives his goodness, holiness and love for all helpless, hopeless sinners.
This is the time of grace, the time to decide –stay in the power of sin and perish, or receive what Jesus has done for you, so his Spirit can produce good fruit in you.
Lord, we admit that we sin – we hurt others, ourselves, and you. Have mercy on us, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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