Gospel

WHY DO PEOPLE SAY, REPENT?

by Ramona Cook 
01/02/23
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The simple answer is, “Because God commands it!”

Ezekiel 33: 1 -5. God’s message to Ezekiel, that He (God) has assigned him as a Watchman over Israel.

Then what does a Watchman DO?

It is better understood by us today as being the person or persons who are responsible for the Emergency Alert Systems those who sound the alarm when some catastrophic danger is approaching, for instance an unannounced tornado.

In the days of Ezekiel there was a wall around the city for is protection. The Watchman would position himself upon that wall and keep watch for approaching enemies. IF he saw danger approaching he would sound the trumpet to awaken them and to inform the residents of the town so they could prepare to defend themselves.

God is always interested about the death of all persons. God makes three specific comments about the death of every person:

1. It is appointed unto humans ONCE to die AND after that, the Judgment.

2. God states, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

3. “Beautiful, in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

THIS is the reason God commands the Watchman to stand guard. He wants to make certain the wicked are warned so that they will not die in their sin. God knows that IF they do die in their sin they will not live with Him in Heaven forever and that is what God very much wants for every human who has ever lived.

God knows that we have two possible destinations, one is Heaven and the other is Hell.

So God tells Ezekiel, IF you warn them of the impending danger and they do nothing about it, then their sin is upon them. BUT IF you don’t sound the alarm and they die in their sin, then I will hold you accountable for their death.

God continued to speak to Ezekiel, “What I want is for them to REPENT, turn around, walk toward Me not away from Me.”

THAT is WHY every watchman, born-again witness, preacher, teacher, speaks this message. Because GOD the Creator of all things, The Almighty God commands it, and no person gets off IF they are disobedient to God’s Commands.

I can almost hear a rebuttal: But that was First Testament God.

Did God change? Well yes, so to speak. Jesus’ message to all who follow Him, (Father, Son, Holy Spirit,) is even stronger.

Jesus said, “Go preach the Gospel to every Nation, heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead! His reason is the same as was told to Ezekiel.

People will die in their sin IF we do not tell the message and REPENTANCE is the initial step to coming to salvation.

A. Acknowledge that you are a sinner,

B. Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, and you WILL be saved.

C. Confess with your mouth (our loud) the Lord Jesus, believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. For with your mouth you confess and in your heart you believe unto salvation.”

Even more simple, we can just tell Jesus we are a sinner, please forgive me and come live in my heart. Following that experience we need to, if possible, gather with other people who follow Jesus. BUT first and foremost, get a Holy Bible and read from it everyday.

I have done today what God has commanded. I have sounded the ALARM. It could be soon or later, but one day we all will die and then be judged. We all need to prepare.

I can almost hear, “But I don’t believe God will send anyone to Hell.” YOU ARE CORRECT.

Going to Hell is a choice each person makes just as going to Heaven is a choice each person makes.

Did you remember what God’s message to Ezekiel was? “IF you warn them and they won’t repent, IT IS ON THEM.” The preparation for eventual death and eternity is a choice to be made by each individual. GOD WILL NOT MAKE US CHOOSE RIGHT - AND THE DEVIL CANNOT MAKE US CHOOSE WRONG. The choice is ours. We need to know of eventual demise and make preparation. It is free for the taking and gives us a NEW BIRTH.

“New Birth” was a term that Jesus coined. Why would He say it that way?

When you read the Bible you learn that when God made our first father Adam He made him perfect, no sin. But Papa Adam decided to disobey a command that God had given and God had warned Adam that IF he decided to eat forbidden fruit that he would die that day.

Well, Adam did die that day, and the death was that the living spirit God had put in him died.

Genetics has a role in this and we are the offspring of Adam who has genetically transferred that “dead” spirit to us. Jesus came to be the sacrifice for our sin. Jesus died in our place and it is Jesus who has authority to cover us, in the spirit, with His blood and present us to God, the Father as a sinless spirit, fully forgiven, fully restored, BORN AGAIN.

THEN, we follow Jesus and do the things He has commanded. Doing that covers all activities of our life especially regarding HOW we treat people.

So, I have sounded the alarm. You are warned. The choice is yours, but I ask you, why would anyone chose to go anywhere but to Heaven? A decision WILL be made, for one or the other places to reside for all eternity.

Ramona: 01/01/2023