The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, Acts 17:30 WEB
People everywhere should repent. These words to the people of Athens concern the worship of idols in ignorance of the God who created all things. Proclaiming the gospel message of the resurrected Christ, Paul points to an altar in Athens dedicated to “The Unknown God.” He uses this as a starting point to reason with the Athenians and reveal the nature of the one true God who is eternal spirit and not an idol made by human hands.
Paul begins to explain the foolishness of worshiping idols saying in Acts 17:24-25, “God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. He isn’t served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things. WEB” Paul then teaches that as God reveals himself to man, “people everywhere should repent.”
Convicted of Sin
In law, ignorance is no excuse. But God is more generous than man. Jesus himself says in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing. WEB” But as we live and learn, our ignorance is replaced by knowledge. Under the new covenant believers have the Holy Spirit and unbelievers have the conviction of conscience. As Jesus says of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8, “When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment. WEB”
Christ denounced those who witnessed the truth of God without repenting. This is revealed in Matthew 11:20 which reads, “Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. WEB” As we grow in knowledge of the Lord, there should be a corresponding change in our behavior as we conform to the word and will of God.
The Kingdom Is at Hand
That people everywhere should repent is a critical part of the teaching of Christ. We read in Matthew 4:17, “From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ WEB” As the word of God is revealed in our lives, we have a choice. We either repent or choose to continue in sin.
Prayer: ‘Father God, thank you for the revelation of your holy word. Thank you for your patience and righteousness. Guide me with your Holy Spirit. Put your commandments deep in my soul and at the forefront of my mind that I may serve you at all times. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Image of His Son
