CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE

By the Reverend Denny Smith; Article in The Cherokee Scout Newspaper: 10/16/2008

Please click here to find this article on the website of Christian Love Ministries, Murphy, NC.


CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). There seems to be a cloud of impending gloom and doom hanging over the entire planet. Much of America’s focus is on the upcoming Presidential election. Both candidates are shouting out the same message: “CHANGE!” That is the very message Jesus preached when He said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). The word “repent” simply means to change.

The world has known from the beginning of time that God was there, and mankind needs to depend on Him for everything we need. Ancient man had religion. The purpose of all religion is the same: (1) to encourage people to repent/change, (2) to get people to get rid of the pollution and garbage inside of their hearts, and allow their heart to be filled with God, and (3) through the practices of their religion to develop positive character. Jesus proclaimed that the “kingdom” was “at hand.” The kingdom of God is the rule and the reign of the God of heaven over all creatures and things. When Jesus said that the kingdom was “at hand” He didn’t mean that it was going to immediately appear. He was saying it is imminent- that God is going to rule and reign regardless of what mankind does.

The kingdom of God is already here in many ways, and in many people’s lives. Don’t you know some people that are allowing God to rule and reign? That’s always been God’s goal, for humans to do God’s will instead of doing their own selfish will. Matthew 7:21 says: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father, who is in heaven.”

Jesus made it clear that the will of the Father is for mankind to “repent (change) and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The only ones that will go to heaven are those who do that. What is the “gospel”? First Corinthians 15:1-4 explains “the gospel- that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and he was buried, and he rose from the dead the third day.” Jesus came to earth from heaven, and died on the cross as a substitute to pay for all the sins of the world. Three days later He rose from the dead the first Easter Sunday. Romans 10:9-10 says that if you believe the gospel “in your heart” and confess with your mouth that you believe God raised Jesus from the dead you are saved. The kingdom of heaven is available to you right now. Repent, and believe the gospel.

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