The most relevant event that has ever happened to us was our repentance, which resulted in our forgiveness and entrance into life. This happened under the authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus said “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This was not a suggestion or good advice. This was an imperative as Paul relates it on Mars Hill.
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30, 31
“All men everywhere” come under the authority of God and He has commanded them to repent. When I repented and believed I was responding to the authority of Jesus Christ.
He is good enough to give a reason for the universal requirement to repent. Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness.
What should we obey? His imperatives are not ideals or goals? They are realistic commands to be carried out. Not to obey them is disobedience. It is sin. As sin it will be forgiven if it is confessed as such. It will not be confessed as such if we think that we are not under His authority to:
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19
And many other things he said.
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30, 31
“All men everywhere” come under the authority of God and He has commanded them to repent. When I repented and believed I was responding to the authority of Jesus Christ.
He is good enough to give a reason for the universal requirement to repent. Because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness.
What should we obey? His imperatives are not ideals or goals? They are realistic commands to be carried out. Not to obey them is disobedience. It is sin. As sin it will be forgiven if it is confessed as such. It will not be confessed as such if we think that we are not under His authority to:
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19
And many other things he said.
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