Beloved friends, it is always a thing of joy writing this column, knowing that there is somebody reading this for the first time that God has positioned to be touched by it; or may be somebody who has been reading it and has not yet made up his mind for Christ. It is exciting to know that people are taking this most important decision in life – especially for those who do not even go to church. I prophecy that today is your day of pitching your life with the Lord of lords.
In the book of Acts, chapter 2 verses 36-39, we see Apostle Peter speaking for the very first time the gospel was preached. I like this scripture because it is the very beginning of Christianity. He says, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, Lord and Christ.” Now, when they heard this, they wore 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 your children…”
The words of Apostle Peter: Let every man and woman and creature know that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. This is an awesome truth. I say it to you also that Jesus is the Lord and the Christ and the Messiah and the Saviour. There is no other qualified and described thus. Peter in other words is saying here that you have to know it as sure as light that God has Jesus (whom you all crucified – because as long as you have not accepted Him as both Lord and Saviour, you are guilty).
It is easy and natural to say that you did not crucify Him. As many as have not accepted Christ are guilty of crucifying Him. But you can be free from that guilt today. It was for our sake that He went to the cross and each time we reject Him we further crucify Him.
However, I believe that somebody reading this column today will repent and accept that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The Bible says in the scripture text we quoted that when the people heard Peter, they asked them: “Men and brethren what shall we do?” And Peter gave them the remedy: Repent and be baptized.
The order is to first of all repent and then followed by baptism. But some people baptize before they repent. It does not work that way because baptism follows repentance. Baptism is not sprinkling of water. It is emersion into water; and it is a sign of repentance – that you are dead to your sin and you are rising up to a newness of life. That is what the scripture teaches.
Repentance is not for babies because babies do not have knowledge of sin. Somebody may ask: What happens when a baby dies? Every baby that dies goes to heaven. But when you get to the age of accountability, when you know what is good and what is bad, and you can decide to do good or to do bad and you fail to accept Christ even as a child, you are going to hell. That is not the will of God, but it is the truth.
The important thing is to get to the point where you hear the gospel and you are able to make up your mind on what to do. This is the question you should ask yourself. This path I am following, the way I am living my life, is it going to take me to heaven? If the answer is yes, then continue. If the answer is no, then make a u-turn. How do I know the answer is yes? You know the answer is yes if you are there with Jesus. If you are heading to any direction that is not Jesus, I am sorry to tell you that, that direction is wrong.
When Jesus said: “Follow me,” He knew that so many other so called religious leaders are also going to look for people to follow them. But when you follow Jesus, He will lead you through the right path. You will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet you will fear no evil. You will pass through the waters, He will be with you; and pass through fire but it will not burn you.
Peter says: “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” It is frightening how some people are not moved by the word of God; they are so hardened. It amazes me when people are presented with facts and they make light of it, saying it is nonsense, rubbish; devised fables and things made to frighten people.
Friends, I do not have any need to make up things to frighten anybody; but my main concern with you is that your soul is important to God and He will pay any price to get to you. That is why somehow He has made it possible for you to be reading this column now. You need to give your life to Jesus and look for a good church to attend. Repent from your ungodly ways and embrace Jesus. It does not matter who you are; the scripture says, “Every one of you.”
These days you cannot walk alone without Jesus because there are devils who want to badge in on you and lead you to the wrong things. These demons want you to live lives that would not be pleasing unto the Lord.
But God is merciful; He is faithful. God is a good God. You have rejected Him before, but He is still calling you.
Friends, I tell you that there is hope. If you are reading this truth, that means you can repent – and you can be forgiven. As you are reading this, your mind is saying to you that this is the truth. People close to you – your husband, your wife, your parents, your friends and relations or even your religion may not agree with what I am saying, but God knows and you know it in your heart that I am telling you the truth. Something in you is saying: this is the right way. Then, why don’t you defy all odds and say yes to Jesus?
It is time for repentance. It is time to make peace with God. It is time to make a u-turn. You can. Yes, you can. Right now, not tomorrow, go on your knees before God and pray this prayer: Father in heaven, be merciful unto me, a sinner. I confess that Jesus is the Christ, He is the Lord. He died for me, and you raised Him from the dead and now He lives. I give my life to Him. Lord Jesus, come into my life. Be my Lord, be my Saviour, be my Master. Today, I repent. Forgive me. Cleanse me and fill me with the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, I assure you that something is happening already. Old things are passed and God is recreating something in you. Begin to pray in the name of Jesus, begin to read your Bible and look for a good Bible believing church and begin to attend. God bless you.