“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3
Well, there’s a hard word from Jesus! He isn’t pulling any punches or avoiding giving offense. At the risk of hurting your feelings, “all” means “all”. You’re included. So is everyone you know and love. Every person is born a sinner and automatically bound for eternal damnation and suffering in hell. That’s why we MUST repent. This isn’t a happy, gentle, or tender message. It certainly isn’t popular in 2024. Nonetheless, it was the message of Jesus and it remains true and relevant today, even if it hurts your feelings.
Unless you repent…. That word describes a radical mindshift that completely rejects the selfish, sinful choices of your past, asks forgiveness, and commits to live differently in Christ. This isn’t about a shallow apology that means nothing to you. This isn’t about defending, excusing, or explaining away your sinful past. This is about recognizing your sinful rebellion against the Most Holy, Almighty God, being truly sorrowful for it, begging God’s forgiveness for it, and believing that Jesus died and rose from death to pay the penalty for it.
When you repent and trust in Lord Jesus, you are saved! Eternal life is yours and you will not perish in eternal damnation. If you don’t repent, you will end up where you’re already headed. If you need to repent today, repent! Don’t avoid, explain, excuse, minimize, or ignore. #FollowJesus