Text: Luke 15:10 NKJV

Further Reading: Luke 15:1-10

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:10 NKJV

MESSAGE

Repentance is turning away from an old sinful lifestyle to a new and morally acceptable one. The work of Christ in man is to transform him from a sinner to Saint. That is why the Bible can boldly claim that, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

God’s greatest desire is for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, that is why He is calling all men to repent and turn to Him (Acts 17:30). In the work of redemption, God has played His part by offering Christ to save the world. Now, everyone who wants that salvation must play their part as well, which is to repent and turn to God.

Repentance is the message of Christ (Matthew 4:17). Jesus was calling all men to return to God.
When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “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

In our text of the day, Jesus taught that for every sinner that is saved, there is great joy in heaven because they repented. For every prodigal that returns alive, there is joy also. This means that every time a soul missed heaven there is great sadness. May your life not bring sadness to heaven in Jesus’ name. Amen.

True repentance that leads to salvation however is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit according to Jesus is the One who convicts men of their sins (John 16:8). Until a man is convicted of sin, he can not repent. So, there is a great role that Holy Spirit plays in bringing men to Jesus.

Jesus said that those who refuse to repent of their sins, no matter how highly placed in the social, religious, or political circle, such men will perish (Luke 13:3, 5). This confirms, John 3:16-18 that this who believe in Jesus will not perish but those who refuse Christ are already condemned. Have you repented of your sins or you are still hiding them?

This is not the time to conceal wrongdoings, to do so will mean a call to failure in life (Proverbs 28:13). It is clear that except a man repent and is converted that fellow can not see God’s kingdom. Christians also must repent of secret sinful habits and lifestyles.

Another lesson is that men don’t repent in the grave (Hebrews 9:27). They won’t repent even if someone rose from the grave (Luke 16:30). Jesus has risen from the grave for more than 2000 years, but still, men chose not to repent.

Make no delay about your salvation, repent today and God will change your status from servant to son/daughter.

REFLECTION

and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:47 NKJV

Anyone who will be truly saved must trust in Jesus because there is no other name given to men under the earth by which a man can be saved other than the name of Jesus.

PRAYER

Father, please have mercy on me today. I repent of all known and unknown sins in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.