Today is the day to realize that you must turn from doing what is wrong, what God calls sin, and do what is good and acceptable to Him. Every time your conscience causes you to feel guilty, the Holy Spirit convinces you of your sin. His greatest desire is that you obey His Laws, do good instead of evil, and for you to follow Him.
Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Jesus came not only to teach us how to do this but also to be our example. Though He endured every kind of suffering, including injustice against His very life, He never sinned. He obeyed and honored God with His life and the mission God gave Him.
He suffered and died for crimes He didn’t commit and now has a name and position above all others. He rules and reigns in Heaven, seated at the right hand on the throne with God the Father.
He loves you, and now He calls you to do the same. By His example, humble yourself and obey God. Yet, differently from Jesus, because of His sinlessness, you must repent of your sins and be made clean through the cleansing power of His blood and the forgiveness He offers you. If you do, He will grant you forgiveness and the ability to live in purity.
Unfortunately, many continue to hold on to their sinful ways. For you, it might be anger. You may hold on to bitterness, impure thoughts or actions, greed, rebellion, or selfishness. Whatever these sins or others, it is time to turn away from the deeds of darkness and the ways the Devil tempts you to follow, for the time is growing short.
Ephesians 5:10-14 says, Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Freedom from sin and the consequences that come with it, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally, only comes through humility, sorrow for the sins you have committed against God, and the act of turning away from a lifestyle of sinful living. You must repent, which is what it means to turn from sin and choose to follow Jesus for Salvation and do what is right and honorable before God.
You may feel powerless to do this, but He will if you call upon Jesus to help you. He is the only way to have true peace and rest from the pain sin inflicts upon your soul. Jesus is giving you one more chance to obey Him and be rewarded in exchange for the suffering you have endured up to this point because of sin and the wickedness of this world.
Jesus offers you love, peace, joy, and to be forgiven of your sins. He will provide you with healing, a new heart, mind, and a renewed spirit to do what is good. He offers you all the rewards of Heaven if you are willing to come to Him with humility and receive what He offers you with open arms. Yes, His arms are open to receive you and He waits for you. The next move is up to you.
At that time, Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30
