Welcome to Hank’s Place
Mark’s gospel chapter 1, versus 14-15 describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. “Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The Message Bible has Jesus saying, “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”
Jesus came on the scene preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God; the message of God’s rule on earth. Most people wanted a political kingdom to replace the oppressive Romans. However, Jesus brought a kingdom of love, of grace, of humility. He offered it to everyone, not only the Jew; to be received voluntarily, not imposed by force.
Think of the wickedness seeking to be imposed upon us in America today. Words like oppressive, subjugation, law, and force come to mind. O God, raise up the righteous and cast down the wicked while America still exists!
When Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand,” He wanted people to know that it was near – as close as your hand. It wasn’t distant. NOW was the time for them to encounter the kingdom of God. True, people could not be born again until after Calvary, but with Jesus present, right before you, it was time to change!
The word Jesus used for “time” in the Greek is ‘kairos,’ meaning “the strategic opportunity, the decisive time.” His idea, “The strategic time for the kingdom of God is now. NOW is your time of opportunity. Don’t let it pass you by.”
Hmmm. As Hank always says: Today, NOW, is Your day — to Come Alive!
The word “Repent” means change of direction. Jesus wanted people to know they could not enter the kingdom going the same way they’d been going. They had to change direction to experience the kingdom of God.
You see, repentance is NOT about feelings, feeling sorry for your sin. Repent isn’t a “feelings” word. It is an action word. Jesus tells us to make a change of mind, not merely to feel sorry for our sins. Change direction!
Now, this is important: repentance does not describe something we must do before we come to God. Repentance describes what coming to God is like. Example: if you are in New York, and I tell you to come to Denver, I don’t need to say “Leave New York and come to Denver.” To come to Denver is to leave New York, and if you haven’t left New York, you certainly can’t come to Denver. We can’t come to the kingdom of God unless we leave our sin and self-life.
And when Jesus said “believe in the gospel,” He used the word ‘pisteuo,’ speaking of a relationship of trust and dependence.
Today, if you are still seated upon the throne of your life, get off it! STOP living a life of “I will.” Change direction today. Put your trust in Jesus who died for you. Head to Denver from my example.
You’ll – COME ALIVE!
NEW BLOG NOTIFICATION
Be notified when a new blog posts