"You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”" (Acts 8:21-23 NKJV)
We are familiar with the story of Simon the sorcerer. While reading it this morning, I thought his story is not unlike the church today.
Simon heard preaching about Jesus and believed. He was even baptized and continued with Phillip. Probably didn't miss a meeting.
Then comes Peter and John and they discern the true condition of his heart by what comes out of his mouth, and call him on it! They tell him he needs to repent!
The Holy Spirit shows them and they tell him, that "he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity!"
Instead of falling on his face in repentance; instead of turning to The LORD in brokenness, he's concerned with his skin!
"Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”" (Acts 8:24 NKJV)
"Pray for me"; Instead of "turning" he wanted someone to do "it" for him!
This is exactly what is happening when the false prophets of today, pray blessings and healings on unrepentant hearts!
The church today is "full of bitterness and bound by iniquity!" It is full of fear, worry, anger, pride, hopelessness, unforgiveness, depression, unbelief; all in a stiff-necked people who refuse to humble themselves in obedience to God's Word! They believed and were Baptized, but never changed; because there was no repentance!
I know, because I was there! I did not hear the message of repentance in the church I attended! Every Sunday they celebrated the anointing and believed they had received a visitation, and at the end of the service the captured returned home in their sins. For sin was not discussed. How do you know to repent if you don't know you have sin?
It was through a ministry preaching forgiveness and repentance that I heard the Truth and was set free when I obeyed! In humility and obedience and repentance I was healed! And I have stayed healed!
What religion had promised and had not fulfilled, total surrender and obedience to The Word of God calling for repentance - accomplished!
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV)
You can believe and you can be Baptized, and just like Simon perish your sin!
"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5 NKJV)
"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance," (Matthew 3:8 NKJV)
"Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" (Matthew 7:20-23 NKJV)
Please! Please! Please! Get your heart right in the sight of God!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 6/5/15
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