Mission Venture Ministries

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

(Proverbs 27:1)

“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

(2 Corinthians 6:2) 

Throughout history God has told a sinful world to repent (Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; 17:30). To repent means to change your mind from embrace of sin and rejection of Christ to rejection of sin and embrace of Christ, it is a heartfelt transformation of one’s mind, which if genuine, will lead to the transformation of one’s actions away from sin. Those who refuse to repent and turn to Christ in faith will suffer eternal consequences. Given the fact that hell is real; why would anyone delay repenting? Yet many do, even while admitting their sin and claiming to see their need for salvation. 

There are several reasons not to delay repentance. First, the Bible’s command to repent is accompanied by an urgent plea to do it now: Paul tells the Corinthians that “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). In other words, today is the day of salvation as the psalmist writes “Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95:7-8). 

None of us knows the day we will die so why would anyone delay such and important decision since after death comes the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The rich fool in Jesus’ parable (Luke 12:16–20) thought he had plenty of time to enjoy life, but God had news for him: “This very night your life will be demanded from you” (verse 20). 

The tragedy is that far too many people assure themselves that it is never too late, keep waiting until it becomes forever too late! Every time a person says “no” to what’s right, it becomes a little easier to say “no” the next time, too. There’s a gradual hardening of the heart that can numb an unsaved person to the point of not feeling anything at all. This is called the searing of the conscience (1 Timothy 4:2) and is a dangerous spiritual condition to be in. This is so important that the writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:7-8 again: “So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8). 

Tragically, there comes a point of no return. God may eventually stop trying to bring the persistently rebellious to repentance and give them over to their own ways (Romans 1:28). We never know when this point of no return becomes reality, so the better part of wisdom is timely repentance. 

It is true that God is gracious to us and that a person may be able to repent up until the day he dies. But we should not live presumptuously, because we are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

Tragically we see another example of a seared conscience that would not listen to the Creator of the World. Hanging on the cross next to Jesus one of the two thieves on the cross continued in unbelief right up until the time he died (Luke 23:39). Long and continued rebellion against God is likely to become so fixed in one’s character that sincere repentance may become impossible. 

On the opposite side we see the repentant thief, beholding Christ and hearing Jesus word on the cross including “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34), came to believe that Jesus truly was the Son of God and that He could, indeed, grant forgiveness and salvation. 

The repentant thief assures us that no one needs to despair once they hear the truth and obey it. The opposite warns us that no one should presume anything since we are dealing with Almighty God. 

The penitent thief had no opportunity to be baptized, to change his lifestyle, or to do anything whatever except repent, believe on Christ, and confess his faith (Romans 10:9-10). And that was sufficient! Jesus knew his heart. 

Both thieves would die that day, and the soul of the unrepentant thief would soon descend into Hades, there to await condemnation at the future judgment day. The other, because of his trust in Christ, would go with Him to paradise. 

The tragedy is that far too many people assure themselves that it is never too late and keep procrastinating until it becomes forever too late! 

Remember, we have today, the present moment, and we should use it wisely. 

Once a person is aware of sin, they are responsible to repent of it and forsake it. We dare not delay repentance. There was a time when the Lord shut the door of the ark, and the flood drowned everyone who was left outside the ark (Genesis 7:16) because they were wicked and full of sin and did not repent even though Noah had preached for over one hundred and twenty years. On another occasion Scripture tells us that there came a time when the wedding party began, and those who were not ready for the coming of the bridegroom were locked out (Matthew 25:1–13) because they were not prepared. 

Making peace with God and receiving eternal life is the most important action and decision that any person can ever make. We hope that you will take God’s word to heart since He does not force anything on any of us. The decision is yours, what will it be…eternity in Heaven or in the Lake of Fire? 

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