Now Is The Time To Repent! - Michael J. S. Austin, Ph.D.
Look, I do realize this title sounds a bit blunt, especially to people who like our politically-correct approach to different beliefs. But I need to explain. You see, while many of us live in a postmodern culture where pluralism holds that you are freely entitled to your ideas about the meaning of life, as long as you accept it's only your opinion and nothing more - do you know what; it hasn't always been like this?
• Fair England
Once upon a time in fair England, where the good news of peace with God had been discovered, a strong wave of persecution arose from the established Church against the new beliefs. This was the time when leading Reformers, who with open Bibles proclaimed the grace and mercy of God in Christ with great power, were being imprisoned and burnt at the stake - O fair England, why were you so blind that when a gracious Saviour sent his messengers to you, you dealt with them in such a shocking and vile way?
John Bradford (1510-1555) was one of these men. Imprisoned in 1554 with others of like faith, before their martyrdom, they wrote a statement of their belief that Scripture was the word of God. The Bible had brought them heavenly treasure, the way of salvation, and had come to be their joy and daily food that sustained their living faith.
Bradford was marked by a holy life. And if you think that makes him dull and uninteresting, you have missed the thought that purity and joy are the fruits of salvation that are life indeed. Whereas sin degrades our true humanity, ruins and spoils it. Among Bradford's final words at the stake, were his piercing cry, 'O England, England, repent thee of thy sins!' How more challenging can you get in a few words?
• Footsteps
Here is a man who follows in the footsteps of his Saviour, who when he began his ministry near the shore of Lake Galilee, called out, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel' (Mark 1:15). The root idea in 'repent' is, 'it's time to change your mind and turn around!' Many did just that, and began to follow Jesus. Then after Jesus' death and mighty resurrection and the outpoured Spirit, Saul of Tarsus, who had been the great opponent of Christianity, also turned to Jesus in repentance and openly acknowledged that the One crucified in shame was none other than the Messiah of Israel, vindicated as the Lord of glory.
Then as 'Paul' (his new name), he too proclaimed a message that called all peoples, Jewish and non-Jewish (Gentile) to repent. He openly explained how, 'The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead' (Acts 17:30-31).
• Forget!
This call continues to sound out loud and clear. Forget your postmodern pluralism - its days are numbered. The time is short. Many will not be here tomorrow - they will have entered eternity, when it's too late to repent. Then you would give a thousand worlds for one more chance to hear the call, but it will never come.
• Freely by faith
Why up until now, have you not seen how precious is the day of opportunity, of the day of visitation of God come to call and beseech you through the gospel? So then, call now upon the Lord to open your blind eyes and deaf ears. Why will you die in your sins, when the sinless Son of God has shed his own blood? - Cursed of God for the sins and transgressions of his people that they might be pardoned freely, justified by faith, and brought into the family of God. Now, once more, you are hearing the call - now is the time to repent, 'now is the day of salvation' (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Michael J. S. Austin's books and articles offer serious discussions and answers for life's big questions - 'How do I know which is true - Theism or Atheism?' 'Is biblical Christianity finished, or does it still speak to the 21st century?' My title, 'DAWKINS' DILEMMAS' answers, 'will Richard Dawkins' atheism grip millions, fade or stir lingering doubts?' and shows how Dawkins' atheism is not based on rational foundations. Find out how biblical Christianity uncovers Dawkins' dilemmas and why atheism lacks rational foundations. http://www.amazon.com/Dawkins-Dilemmas-Michael-Austin/dp/1604776668/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302182528&sr=1-2 My second title, 'LOST RELATION - finding humanity and God' is a serious discussion on how the evolutionary beliefs of Charles Darwin undermine the validity of human reason. He admits this when he says his own thinking has only come from monkeys - read to find out about Darwin's greatest discovery! Check my books on Amazon and other bookselling websites - & BUY TODAY! Personal email for book enquiries and discussions about published articles: mdaustin@iolfree.ie Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_J._S._Austin,_Ph.D. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6188073