Confronted by the Resurrected Jesus- What Should You Do?
The events in the life of Jesus surrounding Easter demand a response. Jesus suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again to the fulfillment of the Scriptures. What will you do?
The events in the life of Jesus surrounding Easter demand a response. What happened to Jesus? In the historic words of the Nicene Creed, “…he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures.” The remainder of the New Testament commands that all who confront this truth make a decision. Will you choose to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? The verses in this series will show you what it means to accept the truth of a Resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19 clearly states the requirement for forgiveness of sin- repent and be converted. What is the meaning of repent? metanoeo, the Greek word for “repent” in the New Testament, means a change of mind leading to change in behavior. It means to go in a new, different direction. This happens when you move away from your old life. Following Jesus means you no longer follow your own ways. The ways that seem right to a man lead to destruction, Proverbs tells us. (Proverbs 14:12)
What do you need to change your mind about? Two things- who you are and who Jesus is.
1)You must see yourself as a sinner in need of grace and forgiveness.
2) You need to recognize Jesus as the Son of God who died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sin.
It’s not enough to walk away. You must know what and who you are walking to.
To be “converted” means to go one from one state to another. You will pass from an unrepentant sinner, comfortable with your sin, to a child of God who knows the gravity of sin in the face of God’s holiness. You are converted into a believer in Jesus. Your life turns towards God as you seek to walk with him. Jesus is now your Lord. You are yoked to him and he carries your burdens. You learn of Jesus and desire to dwell with him forever. Walking in confidence with Jesus is only one of the amazing joys that come with repentance and conversion. What happens to your sin is an important fruit of repentance and conversion.
What do repentance and conversion do to your sin? They officially wipe it away. “Blotted out” is a reference to the way a scribe would clean up a mistake from a scroll he was writing. The ink needed to be completely removed from the scroll. Your sin is completely removed from God’s sight. Instead, your name is now written in God’s book of life and it will NEVER be blotted out! Hallelujah, God no longer keeps record of our sins!
Times of refreshing or relief will be yours. Along with the removal of sin from your record, you will feel relieved. Objectively, the sin is gone. Subjectively, God graciously allows you to feel this. You no longer need to fear the presence of the holy, sinless, righteous God like one who lives in sin must. Your sin no longer separates you from God. In his presence you will find fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)
If you have not already, repent, convert and be relieved. Put your faith and trust in the resurrected Jesus today.
Victoria Carrington 