GOD’S WORD FOR NOVEMBER 5

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM

Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:5–6

D.L. MOODY

Think of the whole population going out into the wilderness to hear this wonderful open-air preacher, to be “baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins!” John was a preacher of repentance. Perhaps no one ever rang out the word “Repent!” like John the Baptist. Day after day, as he came out of the desert and stood on the banks of that famous river, you could hear his voice, “Repent!!   For the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). We can almost now hear the echoes of his voice as they floated up and down the Jordan.

Many wonderful scenes had been witnessed at that stream. Naaman had washed away his leprosy there. Elijah and Elisha had crossed it with dry feet. Joshua had led through its channel the mighty host of the redeemed on their journey into the Promised Land. But it had never seen anything like this: men, women, and children, mothers with babes in their arms, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, publicans, and soldiers flocked from Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, to hear this lonely wilderness prophet.

ERWIN LUTZER

We seldom hear the word repentance. It’s not merely changing our minds, it’s changing the direction of our lives, turning away from sin. If properly understood, to savingly believe in Jesus means to repent; it’s an act of trust. Prayer alone doesn’t save us. Without a heart that acknowledges its sin and its need for the gift of forgiveness and grace, there is no salvation.

Baptism should follow our conversion as an expression of our identification with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4)  But it doesn’t save us.   Because we’re identified with Christ, let’s “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8).

PRAYER

Father, thank you for the gift of repentance; I trust that divine work will be evident in my life.

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Luke 13:1-3

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

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Acts 17:30

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.

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Matthew 6:25

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

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Luke 12:22b-23

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.

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Mark 1:15

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

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Acts 3:19

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

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Acts 2:41

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

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