And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent (Acts 17:30).
When the Bible speaks of God it frequently does so in contrasting terms: goodness and severity, mercy and justice, patience and vengeance. These terms contrast but they don’t contradict. God is patient because He isn’t willing that any should perish, but the day of the Lord will come (2 Peter 3:9-10). It is because that day is coming in which He will judge the world in righteousness that He commands us to repent (Acts 17:31). The reason He commands all men everywhere to repent is because all we like sheep have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). The word repent means to turn around, to change your thinking which results in changing your conduct and direction in life. God commands this because He sees us going the wrong way, a way that leads to destruction, so He tells us to turn back before it is too late.
The book Meditations Of My Heart (from which this daily devotional is taken) is available / can be ordered from Sain Publications (931-363-6905 or email psain@sainpublications.com).