October 29
(Luke 24:46-47 NIV) ““He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.””
(Mark 16:15-16 NIV) ““He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. {16} Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.””
(Acts 2:38-40 NIV) ““Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {39} The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." {40} With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.””
Preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins is out of fashion among many well-read and enlightened Christians today. “Social Justice” and “Kingdom Living” dominate the agenda in many a church, and while these should be part of a complete discipleship package, we should never forget the main thing. The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing! Jesus did not die on the cross so that we could live better and be more compassionate. He would have us grow into those things, but Christ came to die for the sins of the world. He came to save us, and the road to salvation runs through repentance. Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead so that repentance and forgiveness of sins could be preached in all nations. He wants everyone to repent and be saved. This was Christ’s main thing. It was also the early church’s main thing. And it ought to be our main thing. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day