Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. – Matthew 4:17
When learning a skill, one particular thing differentiates between success and failure—the ability to take constructive criticism. If learners want to hear only praise and cannot receive advice, they will not learn. Likewise, people might have a negative reaction to the word “repent” which hinders their growth in the Lord. They may become offended if their weaknesses are pointed out, ignoring advice that could make their lives better. Or they can be overcome with guilt and shame and want to give up. However, if God’s people turn from their own ways to His ways in all of the things they do, they enjoy great advantages of the Christian life.
Immediately preceding today’s verse about repentance, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil. Satan challenged Him to use His power for His own good. Jesus did not give into temptation. He knew how important it was to live by the Father’s Word. When He later told people to repent, He never had the experience of needing to repent, but He knew exactly what it was like to please the Father.
Repentance is a good thing. It is a quality to be kept as an attitude; continually seeking and following God’s ways and turning from anything that displeases Him. Just as a person becomes successful at a skill by following mentors, you can be successful in the Kingdom of Heaven by continually turning from the world’s ways and following Jesus. As you turn to Him in prayer, intercede for the nation, that His goodness and truth will lead people to repentance.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 2:1-11
2 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
