JOYFUL CHANGE - ALBERT ELISHA OBERDORFER - SAMPLE
God’s goodness leads to true repentance. In scripture, we always see the same picture. People follow Jesus gladly because they have experienced His goodness. Zacchaeus is a prime example. So are many more. The blind man who received a miraculous healing of his eyes, in Luke 18, for example. How did he react once he had received his sight? He followed Jesus. (Luke 18:43) We see the same picture on the day of Pentecost. Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ. Then the people were touched in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). And how did the people respond? “Then those who gladly received his word got baptized ...” (Acts 2:41) The point is: they got baptized because they received Peter’s word “gladly.’ This is the biblical way of repentance. It’s a joyful change.
God’s goodness leads to true repentance.
In scripture, we always see the same picture.
People follow Jesus gladly because they have experienced His goodness.
Zacchaeus is a prime example.
So are many more.
The blind man who received a miraculous healing of his eyes, in Luke 18, for example.
How did he react once he had received his sight?
He followed Jesus. (Luke 18:43)
We see the same picture on the day of Pentecost.
Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ.
Then the people were touched in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).
And how did the people respond?
“Then those who gladly received his word got baptized ...” (Acts 2:41)
The point is: they got baptized because they received Peter’s word “gladly.’
This is the biblical way of repentance.
It’s a joyful change.
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17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is<br />
a new creation; old things have passed<br />
away; behold, all things have become<br />
new.<br />
18 Now all things are of God, who has<br />
reconciled us to Himself through Jesus<br />
Christ, and has given us the ministry of<br />
reconciliation,<br />
19 that is, that God was in Christ<br />
reconciling the world to Himself, not<br />
imputing their trespasses to them,<br />
and has committed to us the word of<br />
reconciliation.<br />
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for<br />
Christ, as though God were pleading<br />
through us: we implore you on Christ’s<br />
behalf, be reconciled to God.<br />
21 For He made Him who knew no sin<br />
to be sin for us, that we might become<br />
the righteousness of God in Him. (2<br />
Corinthians 5:14-21)<br />
So, if we know this, what should our<br />
message to the world be?<br />
Should it be: God punishes you right now<br />
for your sins, and He will punish you even<br />
more if you do not repent?<br />
Or should it be: There is a good God who<br />
already has dealt with your sins. God<br />
38
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