“Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
Acts 11:14-18 KJV
Two phrases in this passage jump out at me this morning.
"what was I, that I could withstand God?”
And
"repentance to life.”
It occurs to me that we "withstand God", even today, when we refuse to obey His Word because it is contrary to our family traditions or what our denomination teaches. (Example: James 5:16)
We are ignorant of His Word, because we don't read His Word; often times just pulling out scriptures that agree with our position on a situation. (Example: (Again) James 5:16)
"Withstanding God" is probably not a good idea. When He tells us to do something and we refuse, it does not bode well for us. After all, He is God and we are not! Our refusal is rebellion. (Read: 1 Samuel 15:23)
“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” Jeremiah 5:21-25 KJV
When we come to the end of ourselves and come to our senses, repentance is what is required; "repentance to life.”
Sin separates us from a Holy God. Sin brings death. Our repentance brings life!
“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15
“As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.” Proverbs 11:19 KJV
Repentance, turning away from our sin, brings life
re·pent·ance
True repentance brings a desire in our hearts to walk closer to God and to please Him!
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:8 KJV
Submitting and surrendering to God is a byproduct of repentance. Because we have, through repentance, entered into life we desire to draw closer, because He is our desire!
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Psalms 73:25 KJV
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 KJV
And He is still saying "Repent!"
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5 KJV
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 5/19/16
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