Word@Work 068 - Mark 6:12-13
Published: Fri, 02/22/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 6:12-13 They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. (NIV)
Unlike the moralistic preaching of religious sects, Jesus set His disciples a tougher challenge: to preach repentance. The self-help culture of religion advises that we must add some more good to outweigh the bad. Not Jesus! He taught that, first, sin must be repudiated. Sin, and not just sins. It is easy to find a few faults that we know that we should renounce - but to admit that sin has taken a hold of my nature and that I am incapable of shaking it off without Jesus - that is another matter.
Jesus is the Saviour from both, the punishment of sins, and the slavery to sin. But without a recognition that I am a slave and need to be ransomed from its power by Jesus - I cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven. That is why it is essential to explain the desperateness of the human condition. Advertising good news where there is no bad news ... is a recipe for indifference. Perhaps that is why our friends see no urgency to consider the gospel - they are fine as they are.
If we were fine, there would have been no need for that blooded cross. No, the gospel (good news) is no news at all unless we explain that before God we are far from fine - and under His wrath. That is why repentance is essential. It is as radical a change as driving out demons.
Prayer: Father God. Please keep reminding me of the dangerous spiritual condition of my friends who refuse to repent before you. Help me not to be naïve about their lostness; and help me to call them to repent: in Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Unlike the moralistic preaching of religious sects, Jesus set His disciples a tougher challenge: to preach repentance. The self-help culture of religion advises that we must add some more good to outweigh the bad. Not Jesus! He taught that, first, sin must be repudiated. Sin, and not just sins. It is easy to find a few faults that we know that we should renounce - but to admit that sin has taken a hold of my nature and that I am incapable of shaking it off without Jesus - that is another matter.
Jesus is the Saviour from both, the punishment of sins, and the slavery to sin. But without a recognition that I am a slave and need to be ransomed from its power by Jesus - I cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven. That is why it is essential to explain the desperateness of the human condition. Advertising good news where there is no bad news ... is a recipe for indifference. Perhaps that is why our friends see no urgency to consider the gospel - they are fine as they are.
If we were fine, there would have been no need for that blooded cross. No, the gospel (good news) is no news at all unless we explain that before God we are far from fine - and under His wrath. That is why repentance is essential. It is as radical a change as driving out demons.
Prayer: Father God. Please keep reminding me of the dangerous spiritual condition of my friends who refuse to repent before you. Help me not to be naïve about their lostness; and help me to call them to repent: in Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
W@W068 | Word@Work 2008 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
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