“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

-  (John 3:16 KJV)

Many people are familiar with this scripture verse from the Holy Bible.  Perhaps so familiar, it’s become passe!  Yet contained within this single verse, beats the very heart of God.  His eternal passion is to know, and be known by you and me! His all consuming longing is to pour out His Infinite love and have that love be reciprocated! The infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, everlasting God desires above all else, an intimate relationship with you and I!

But there’s a problem.  God is Holy and Perfect.  We are sinners and flawed.  God is eternal.  Because of sin, we die (Romans 6:23).  But God sent His Son Jesus to literally take our sins upon Himself and die in our place (the penalty for sin).  But because Jesus Himself had never sinned, God the Father raised Him from the dead.  Thereby confirming to all who believe on Jesus, that they too have eternal life and intimate relationship with God.

That’s the good news: The Everlasting Gospel! Sin and death have been defeated, once and for all time! So why is there death and heinous acts of selfishness and barbarism still happening? Even escalating to mind boggling proportions?

Might it be because we have failed to do our part? And that is to “Repent! And believe the gospel!”

Repent! And take the poor into our hearts and homes.

Repent! And be the parents we should be to our children.

Repent! And love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Repent! And stop the horrific slaughter of our unborn children.

Repent! And pray for our enemies and those who spitefully use us.

Repent! And tear down the idols of pornography, homosexuality, and materialistic greed.

Repent! And stop following after strange doctrines that are contrary to scripture!

REPENT! And recognize that God is HOLY! And worthy, not only of our praises, but also of our REVERENCE!

“If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.  And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.”
- (Jeremiah 18:7-10 NIV)

So this is the word I’ve heard.  First for myself and then for our nation:
REPENT!