*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE? (4)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Luke 23:34 *Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Jesus offered a respite in His first statement on the cross, which provides that there is forgiveness for sinners who sin in ignorance.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
The scriptures can not be broken.
Paul warns us that there are people who sin wilfully, Heb 6:4-6 10:26-27, Christ tells us that there are people who sin ignorantly, Lk 23:34.
Paul tells us that *there is therefore no more sacrifice.....for people who willfully sin.....*, Jesus statement on the cross tells us that those who sin ignorantly can receive forgiveness either any time in their lives, Acts 23:34, or even in the last minute, Luke 23:39-43.
Paul says sinners can receive forgiveness and begin to live lives as if they had never sinned before, Rom: 5:1, 2 Cor 5:17.
In this world, there are still the lost who have not heard about Jesus.
This is why Jesus' great commission talks about teaching *"......all nations.... and His promise to be with us *".....always, even unto the end of the world."*, Matt 28:20.
As at today, there must be people who have not been reached.
Jesus has not come because there are people who have not been reached.
This we know confirms that there are people who have not heard of Jesus because He said He would only come *".....when gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.* Matt 24:14.
We must never assume everyone has heard of the gospel of Christ.
Some people truly sin in ignorance.
Paul is a perfect example.
Saul of Tarsus was not recorded as having known Jesus, but the power of the encounter
was extraordinary that he knew it was not an ordinary power.
In his ignorance, he asked Acts 9:5 *Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.*
So it was clear he did not know Jesus, but he knew the manifestation of power more than a mere appearance of it.
He wrote in 1 Tim 1:12-13
*And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;*
*Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.*
John Newton wrote a hymn Amazing Grace where he wrote ' l once was lost, but now I'm found'. 'Was blind, but now I see....'
A great sinner, in ignorance, who admitted that God was a great Saviour.
Truly, God is good, and this opens our eyes that people can follow him 'blindly'.
People can sin 'blindly'. They can be ignorant or not recognizing why they are doing something, ref Rom 7:7-25.
Paul clearly explains why someone would be doing evil yet may not know.
First, because the devil hast blinded them.
Second, they can not see the light of the gospel. In other words, they do not see any reason why they should. They refuse to hear, fellowship, engage, and participate in the gospel.
The light of God's word can not shine unto them.
He wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:4:
*In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.*
Paul further tells us that when the light of the knowledge of God does not shine in people's hearts or find the way into their hearts or illuminates their minds, darkness will dominate such hearts.
He further wrote in 2 Cor 4:6
*For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.*
This is why your foundation is very important.
Having true spiritual mentorship or elder mentorship is crucial to effective and efficient Christian growth.
Saul of Tarsus did not have the knowledge of the light. He was in utter darkness until it shined on him on his way to Damascus.
Isaiah 9:2 says *"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light"*
Matthew 4:16 describes the dawn of salvation and hope for a people who were in spiritual darkness.
There are people in darkness who do not know the Light because of their ignorance.
God winks at their ignorance, but they are admonished to come to repentance. In their cases, God can give the opportunity of a last-minute repentance, if need be.
However, there are people whom Paul says they have *".....a heart seared with a hot iron"...*, 1 Tim 4:2. They have a conscience that has been so hardened by repeated sin or disregard for morality. Their hearts and conscience are no longer sensitive to guilt or remorse. They have sold themselves to Satan, may already be prepared for hell, and are looking for as many people they will take along with them.
Do not miss out on salvation. It is free. Do not postpone it!
*Remorse corner.*
God sees your heart. If you persist in evil deliberately, you can not fool God. You have sinned knowing what you are doing!
*Call to Word action.*
God sees your heart when you sin ignorantly.
He does not delight in your death and is willing to forgive you. Remember, however, that the moment you are faced with conversion but you refuse, your ignorance has expired, ref Acts17:30.
*The Christian clarion duty.*
The more you preach the gospel, the less the number of people in ignorance.
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me. May l not willfully sin against You in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
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