Repent or Perish

Jesus echoed the sentiment of God, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."  Luke 13:3-5.  Repentance is heaven's message to us.  Each one is guilty, and so, each one must repent.  In repentance, one acknowledges sin, forsakes sin, and turns to God.  One cannot come to God and bring his sins.  The ministry of John the Baptist was a voice that called sinners to repentance.  "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  Matthew 3:2.  Jesus preached the same theme in Matthew 4:17.  And in delivering His commission of preaching to all the world, Jesus instructed that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."  Luke 24:47.  The multitude that crucified Jesus was commanded, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."  Acts 2:38.  There is no remission of sins without repentance.  God wants man to see himself in the mire of sin.  God allows man to leave his sin and come to salvation through repentance.  Repentance is possible because of God's goodness and God's longsuffering.  Romans 2:4 and II Peter 3:9.  From heaven's merciful God through Christ, let us heed the call to repent.