"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" was John the Baptist's cry of preparation for Jesus' ministry. Jesus said heaven rejoiced at one sinner's repentance and that churches needed to be zealous about repenting. Peter saw thousands respond to his plea to repent on Pentecost day. Paul said God commands all people everywhere to repent.
The Kingdom of Heaven means peace, joy and love. All three "came down" to Earth the night of Jesus' birth. Everyone who hungers for joy, love and peace hungers for a foretaste of heaven, whether they realise it or not, even irreligious people, for we are all Adam's children, driven out of paradise, longing to regain it. When we see a ray of paradise in others, we are attracted to it. We see that radiated in people with a spirit of adoration, who shine with joy and show forth God's love.
Is it true that only those who repent daily of their sins shine with Heaven's light? Can repentance bring the Kingdom of Heaven down into our lives?
2007-12-15 21:01:32 · 8 answers · asked by Annsan_In_Him 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus said "Those who love much are forgiven much." Once a person has been forgiven by God they cannot then withhold forgiveness to those who sin against them! That was the point of Jesus' parable of the servant whose huge debt was cancelled by his master, only to then demand repayment of a tiny debt from another servant. The unforgiving servant was cast into prison by his angry master.
People sin against us every day. We sin against others (not to mention God!) every day. There is not a day goes by without our needing to ask for God's forgiveness and to give forgiveness to our "debtors" (to use the King James language in the Lord's prayer.) None of that undermines the fact that those who are saved are 100% saved irrespective of any "good works" they thereafter do. If I die today, not having asked God's forgiveness for some particular sin I did today - not having forgiven a person who wronged me today - I am still saved! I won't lose out on heaven because of a timing problem on my part! No - those who appreciate the depth of God's forgiveness in Christ reflect that by becoming far more sensitive to the hideousness of sin. Their prayers show that sensitivity. They don't become obsessed about sin - but they DO waken up to the enormity of it.
To be forgiven is to know unspeakable joy and for love to be rekindled. It shows! Repentance is the gateway through which the gospel and the Kingdom gain entrance into sorrowing hearts here on earth. This Christmas-time, we should be more aware than ever of the joy of sins forgiven, through Christ.
2007-12-15 21:40:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Kingdom of Heaven arrived with Jesus - and the peace of God's Kingdom is available NOW to everyone who repents, is baptised and accepts Jesus as the Prince of Peace.
Jesus taught us to pray for God's Kingdom to come, for God's will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven. We don't need to wait for the hear and after to experience God's Kingdom - by following in Jesus' footsteps, we can experience it here and now. But it requires a humble and contrite heart, the acknowledgement of our sinfulness and a genuine desire to be forgiven. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in - to bring us to that point.
An uplifting Christmas thought, sister.
2007-12-15 22:39:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
repentance bring the Kingdom of Heaven down into our lives
2007-12-15 21:07:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The gospel of the Kingdom was the first charge of Jesus to his followers. Right!
2007-12-15 21:06:16 · answer #4 · answered by John G 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Peter ,James and John did have a glimpse of Heaven(Transfiguration) and if you remember that their immediate reaction was "let us build three tents one for You one for Moses and one for Elijah".They wanted to stay and not come back to the world.
2007-12-15 21:24:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you feel the need to repent daily, consider that you still may not understand repentance.
2007-12-15 21:08:24 · answer #6 · answered by single eye 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
repenting can do nothing to change a person but if they change for the better and treat others with love and respect not judging them then they are liked what more do you want than to be treated nice in this life
2007-12-15 21:08:10 · answer #7 · answered by manapaformetta 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What do you mean could? I do. I am glad that I learned this the hard way, and I did.
2007-12-15 21:06:49 · answer #8 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋