The federal government demands that we file our taxes by the end of April, and our townships demand that we pay our property taxes and water bills. If we have a mortgage, the bank demands that we pay it on time. If we have any kind of a loan, there is usually a demand to make a monthly payment. Our cable, phone, and internet bills need to be paid on time as well. Is it therefore not appropriate that the very One who created us should place a demand upon us? What God demands: “Say to them: ‘As I live’, says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?’” (Ezekiel 33:11)
The Bible teaches that we all come into this world as children of wrath and God identifies us all as being wicked. “The wicked are estranged from the womb. They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies . . . .among whom also we all once conducted ourselves . . . .and were, by nature, children of wrath just as the others.” (Psalm 58:3 – Ephesians 2:3)
God has decreed that if we do not turn from our sinful nature and lifestyle, we will never experience what it truly means to be alive! God desires that we would partake in spiritual life now and not face Him on Judgment Day without being pardoned from our sins and the sinful nature that we were born with. It will be too late if we die without being forgiven and without being reconciled to God who created us in order that we would be brought to love and worship Him by receiving eternal life – the gift of God! “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”. (Romans 6:23)
Yes, God does demand that we turn – that we repent – have a change of mind about our sinful lifestyle and believe what God has done on our behalf by sending His Son to sacrifice His life that we would be saved from our sins and be granted eternal life. Life is made available to each of us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus stated: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 10:10 – 7:37-38)
WHAT GOD DEMANDS – GOD HAS PROVIDED!!!
