We often fall into a logical trap of thinking that since we are in this ‘day of grace’ or ‘age of grace’ aka. ‘covenant of grace’ that there is no judgement or that somehow God has changed in His character towards sin and towards sinners. There cannot be anything farther from the truth! Flee from the wrath to come!
I urge you to listen to the following link and/or study one of the printed copies of the sermon and contemplate the nature of God in all aspects of His grace, mercy, judgement, and be of humble heart to repent quickly before the judgement arrives. We have time to repent in this age of grace:
https://www.jonathan-edwards.org/Sinners.pdf
Because God is gracious does not mean that He is not going to judge sin and sinners need to know the gospel that they are NOT right with God and yet CAN BE MADE RIGHT with God. Many people who have prayed a prayer after a preacher also need to know that their lives, if no different, tell another story from their confessions–your faith is testified of by your works to be either dead faith or living faith according to James, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26
Now before you misunderstand, I am not preaching salvation by works by ANY MEANS! I am only saying, your works document whether your profession of faith is REAL–THAT YOU HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN BORN AGAIN! If there are no works growing out of your life of faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross means, you have not yet been converted. Faith without works IS dead means essentially, “No change, no gain.”
The life of the Christian is the walk of repentance.
Here are a few thoughts I found in online searches on repentance:
A Continuous Lifestyle: Repentance is not merely for initial conversion; it is a sustained, daily rhythm of turning back to God.
The Nature of True Repentance: It involves an intellectual, emotional, and volitional change, combining knowledge of sin, sorrow for offending God, and a turning toward holy living.
Grace, Not Condemnation: Repentance is a gift of grace that brings joy, restoration, and renewed fellowship with Christ, rather than a burden to be feared.
Let’s consider our ways while we have this time to turn back to God and live!
-Pastor Samuel Lundmark