Friday September 22, 2023
Mark 1:15
“Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Most people think that to ask an unconverted person to repent is as easy as slipping on a pair of hose. But let us for a moment think of how the Scriptures describe the unconverted.
“Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.” Such persons are not “subject to the law of God.” They are “born of the flesh, and are therefore flesh.” And “the mind of the flesh is enmity against God.” They are “dead through trespasses and sins.”
How can any one then ask such a person to repent? Is not that as unreasonable as asking the lame to rise or the blind to see? Or as speaking to the dead?
Moreover, there is a great deal of evangelistic preaching in our day which is un-Biblical on this point. The unconverted are addressed as though they could convert themselves, yes, as though they desired to be converted.
My unconverted friend, permit me to tell you the terrible truth that you cannot convert yourself. You are a bondservant of sin. You are bound with shackles from which you cannot free yourself.
I have more to say to you. You do not desire to be converted either. You no doubt try to make yourself believe that eventually you will, but not just at this time. If you are honest, you will tell yourself that such talk on your part is pure falsehood.
But how then can Jesus say, “Repent”? Well, we are afforded here our first glimpse into the mystery of conversion as well as into the gospel of conversion.
We can repent when God speaks to us. When He has done this, something has happened to us. God has spoken to us.
Repentance consists in this, that a sinner chooses to listen to God when He speaks. Then the Word of God transforms this person into a new person.
Hearken to this, you who are still unconverted. Your only possibility of being converted is to give heed now while God calls you!
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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