The first voice heard after some 400 years of silence from heaven is that of John the Baptist preaching repentance.
The next voice we hear is that of our Lord Jesus Christ likewise preaching repentance.
"repent" - translated from the Greek word μετανοέω metanoeō:
Thayer Definition: 1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent 2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.
O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance and think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father for I say unto
you that God is able of these stones to raise
up children unto Abraham. ( Mat 3:7-9)
To make a long story short, the Jewish people did not believe that they required John's baptism for the remission of sins because they believed, and believe to this day, that their sins are covered by the righteousness of their father Abraham.
John clearly rebukes this notion and calls for them to repent of that thinking. Even more importantly he challenges them to bring forth fruits meet, proof that they have changed their mind, and to publicly display it for all to see by getting in the water to be baptized.
Jesus likewise preached repentance:
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish, or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and slew them, Think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luk 13:2-5)
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing and drew away much people after him. He also perished and all even as many as obeyed him were dispersed and now I say unto you refrain from these men and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Act 5:37-39).
As noted many times throughout sculptures, the chosen people of God were a stiff-necked (hard-hearted) people who have throughout their history rejected the knowledge of God and slew the prophets of God sent onto them. And as scriptures tell us, because the people rejected His knowledge He repented and likewise rejected them.
The point here is that when others point the finger at those whom "they believe" are sinners, God tells the accusers to repent, not the one accused, and if they fail to adhere to His words God warns them that they will "likewise" perish.
Scriptures show us over and over again how man/woman is unable under his or her own power to refrain from sin, they show us that God's standard of righteousness is one of sinless perfection, and they show us how to obtain that righteousness.
We must not conform to the world (Jewish Messianic doctrine) and be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God for our lives both individually and collectively as the body of Christ.
We must not try to patch the old garment with a piece from the new and we must not put new wine into old wine-skins, for the new patch will be made rent, the bottles will burst and the wine will be spoiled.
Yes, we are to do the statutes and ordinances of God. The question is how?
We let the Potter be the Potter by remaining as clay!
It never ceases to amaze me how many Christians think more highly of themselves than they aught, especially in terms of their perceived self-righteousness and their perceived scriptural authority to judge other brothers and sisters in Christ.
These have become just as stiff-necked, just as arrogant, just as hard-hearted, just as heard headed, and just as blind to their own condition the Pharisees before them were and they will likewise perish if they do not repent!
Food For Thought!
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Rev 2:5)
Be Blessed!
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