Our answer is to return to Him.
This needs to be our message no matter how we feel it will be received. It is still the answer to all our problems, and Jesus always will be. So will we offer the solution (with faith that the gospel and the word of the cross is “the power of God”) or will we be ashamed of the message because it is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor. 1:18, Romans 1:16)?
What if the feelings of hopelessness of the message of repentance being received is actually just a scheme of the enemy to keep us quiet?
Have we considered that this was Jesus’ message – “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” – and that He spoke it knowing that it would not be well received even in the religious community?
The problem and the answer are still the same. Our modern society is not too sophisticated for the solution we have to offer. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). How about we (the church) offer Him (be workers in this harvest), fast, pray, and expect the gospel to do its work, a work that our world desperately needs!
Look at this example in 2 Chronicles: “‘Now do not stiffen your neck like your fathers, but yield to the LORD . . . and serve the Lord your God, that His burning anger may turn away from you. For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive . . . For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.’ So the couriers passed from city to city . . . but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them” 2 Chron. 30:8, 9,10.
This response is what we expect and fear, so we keep the solution quiet, but this passage continues:
“Nevertheless some . . . humbled themselves . . . The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and princes commanded by the word of the Lord.” 2 Chron. 30:11, 12.
Let’s rise up and be bold with the answer of “return to Jesus”, risk the scorn, and leave the response to God. Speak up for the sake of the “some”. He is the one who turns hearts and changes minds; we can’t, but let us speak up and watch what He does with our obedience.
“. . . they consecrated themselves faithfully in holiness” 2 Chron. 31:18.
Jesus opens
eyes– “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him” Luke 24:31.
minds to understand- “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures . . .” Luke 24:45.
hearts to respond- “the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14
and gives us understanding to know Him- “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20
Let us fast and pray for these things according to His word and speak forth His truth.
Know the truth of His Word, practice it, and teach it (Ezra 7:10).
Rejection of the Truth is our world’s problem and Jesus is the solution. The church must not be ashamed or afraid to provide the real answer.
“. . . I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring both to those in Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” Acts 26:19, 20.
Jesus is the way.
He is THE truth.
HE is the LIFE.
