Find Hope: Matthew 1-4Sample

A Repentant Heart

Jesus began his ministry preaching that the kingdom of heaven has come near. And because of that, we should take action. We should repent.

In 1914 at the outbreak of the first World War, millions of people rushed to sign up to fight. Many had no idea what they were walking into and the devastation, darkness, and pain of war that was to come. They responded to a call. For those who signed up for the defense force, the fight for world peace was worth giving their lives for and worth leaving friends, family, and children behind.

That’s challenging.

The call to follow Jesus is also not without cost, and may involve losing your life. But the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise is that our death is not the end because He chose to die in our place so that we could enjoy eternity forever with Him.

What is our response to Jesus’ sacrifice? A repentant heart, willing and ready to be used by God for His glory.

The kingdom of God is worth laying our lives down for and repenting from our own ways and rebellion. It’s worth any cost and any battle you will face because it is a kingdom of light and life that lasts forever in Christ.

Today, ponder this: What is holding you back from repentance and wholehearted devotion to Jesus?