Acts 17:29-31 (NIV) “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Once again we see the Easter message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ proclaimed in this passage. Jesus Christ will come again but this time it will not be in a sacrificial role for that has been completed. The next time Jesus Christ returns will be to judge the world according to its deeds. Those who belong to the household of faith will be gathered together for all eternity. Those who never accepted God’s plan of salvation through his only begotten Son, will accept the consequence of final destruction—the results of which will be irreversible. The date has been set but that appointed time is known only to God the Father. For this reason, all people everywhere are called to repent.
Somehow I think we have lost the sense of urgency that should grip us every time we hear the gospel. For those of us who have already made our choice to follow Christ, this sense of urgency should buckle our knees in prayer for those who have not.
Malachi 3:16-18 (NIV) …concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the gift of salvation through Christ. Yet our hearts ache for those who have not yet yielded to you. We know your coming is near. Renew the sense of urgency within us to pray for all people everywhere—beginning with those in our own families and circles of friends—to come to repentance and accept the free gift of salvation you have provided.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
The devotional All People Everywhere appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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