John the Baptist preaches repentance and when John is imprisoned Jesus’ first message is to call us to repentance. This is a message we should all take to heart.
Yes, Jesus does accept us as we are. However, what we are is not what God desires for us. We must recognize we are sinners. Our sin causes us to fall short of what is required for a relationship with God and for entrance into heaven after death. The good news is repentance connected with acceptance of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection gives us a right standing before God and assurance of heaven. So repentance is the most important message for all eternity.
Repentance is also our continual posture as we grow in our relationship with Christ. Yes, Jesus took us in as we are through repentance, however, Jesus does not leave us where He found us. As Christ shows us in His Word and through His Spirit how we need to change and grow in sanctification we repent and change.
So you see, repentance is an important message and the key to obtaining a deeper relationship with God. I pray we learn not to be emboldened by who we are, but to ask God to give us a broken heart that quickly surrenders to the work of God.
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