R: Repent

Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Matthew 21:31-32 (KJV)

I know a very special young woman who was abused in her past. When the subject  comes up, she insists that the man who abused her deserves to burn in Hell for all eternity and she doesn’t want anything to do with a God who would forgive that man. How can it be that serial killers and rapists can repent of their sins and be saved by grace? Is that justice?

We all deserve to die. We all deserve Hell, because we have all sinned. You don’t get to count your sins and hope that you “make it” in under the wire. It doesn’t work that way. One sin is worthy of death. And the only way to pay for your sins is through repenting and accepting of the grace of God through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. There will be many sinners in heaven and many who thought themselves righteous who do not make it. Sounds unbelievable, but the bible is clear on this point:

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 21:31-32 (NIV)

Are you concerned with earning your way into heaven? Have you sinned too much to be acceptable to God? Do you believe that if you have sinned less than others, you must be okay with God?