People who are very much alive, ever conscious of their
weaknesses and tendency to commit sin in thought, in speech and in deed, always
pray several times a day. Their prayers are never complete without
asking God for forgiveness. They know that God will hold them accountable on
the day of judgment
But still many people ignore God's
call. They do not understand the need to ask forgiveness of their sins and
return to God. In this lesson, we will study the bible, so we may know who, how
and why we will be forgiven by God.
__________________
Repent And
Return To God
44A.1 What is God's
invitation to all sinners?
In Acts 3:19, God, through the Apostles invites all
sinners:
"Therefore
repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times
of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (NASV)
The same verse in other versions
of the bible:
Repent, then, and turn to God, so
that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the
Lord, (NIV)
Repent,
therefore, and reform your lives, so that the record of your sins may be
cancelled, and that there may come seasons of revival from the Lord,
(Weymouth's New Testament)
God, a loving and just
father, invites man (the sinner) to repent and return to God, so that his
sins maybe wiped out or forgiven, in order that times of refreshing may come from the
Lord.
44A.2 Why must a man not
hesitate to repent and return to God?
In Joel 2:13, the Prophet of old depicts God's loving
kindness, thus:
Let your broken
heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough. Come
back to the Lord your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he
is patient and keeps his promises; he is always ready to forgive and
not punish. (TEV)
Man must not hesitate to
return to God because
The all loving God wants man to return to Him. Man must not
hesitate to repent and return to God.
____________________
God, a loving and just
father, invites man (the sinner) to repent and return to God, so that his
sins maybe wiped out or forgiven, in order that times of refreshing may come from the
Lord.
_________________________________________________________
|