Today's Devotion

November 17, 2010

Guilt Precedes Repentance

Today we see what might happen as a result of a good sermon. Peter’s message laid the guilt of Christ’s death squarely on the Jews’ shoulders. Jesus had hung on a Roman cross, but the Jews are the ones who plotted His death and cried for His crucifixion.

“‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Now when they heard [this], they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added [to them].” (Acts 2:36-41 NKJV)

There is not near enough emphasis on the law in many pulpits today. This is unfortunate as the Law is a tutor to lead men to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The Holy Spirit came into the world to convict it of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). Jesus, Himself said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call [the] righteous, but sinners, to repentance"(Mark 2:17 NKJV).

It is really amazing, when this truth is so obvious, that so little emphasis is placed on exposing the sinner’s guilt. However, for some, preaching about sin and death is being too negative. Instead of exposing a church’s need, some pastors are willing to soften the message or excuse the normal attendees from the weightier subjects. Thankfully, there are about three thousand souls in heaven today because Peter was not afraid to stand up and declare his listeners guilty.

Paul said, “And my speech and my preaching [were] not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NKJV).

Now you may not be a preacher, indeed most of you are not, but to be faithful as believers, we all must seek to share the truth with the lost and dying souls around us. To do otherwise is to despise them, and should we do that, how can we say the love of Christ is in us? O’ that we would put ourselves on the cross and risk humiliation by lovingly confronting sinners.

Take courage today and lovingly confront those whom the Lord makes available. When they see your compassion and hear the concern in your voice, they will understand you speak from a loving heart. They may not receive you; they may even be offended, but, in most cases, they will not be offended by you, but the Gospel.

Remember, it is not the well who need a physician, but those who are sick! Guilt precedes repentance!