| Luke 13:3 3 I tell you, no. But unless you repent, all of you will also perish.1 [From the Word of the Lord within: "Ephesians 5:5-6—this is the void of the earth, made perfectly clear: 'For of this you can be sure, that no sexually immoral, or impure, or covetous person (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.' Eph 5:5-6." "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." 1 Cor 15:34. "These times of ignorance God has overlooked; but now he commands all men everywhere to repent," Acts 17:30.] | |||||||||
1 Repent or perish! Christendom arrogantly ignores this severe warning of Jesus and all of the many others too.
We must repent from all evil: lusts, anger, envy, pride, drunkenness, profanity, theft, lying, partying, foolishness, greed, sexual immorality, pride, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, arguments, jealousies, rage, selfishness, divisiveness, evil thoughts, etc. Twice he tells us that we must change or lose our soul.
In the past God overlooked ..ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30
Those whom I love I chastise [reprove, discipline. Be zealous therefore and repent. Rev 3:19
This was John the Baptist's simple message of beginning repentance:
——Repent: think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct. Matt 3:2
——Share from your excess with those who are without the necessities of life.
——Be honest in all your dealings, never exaggerating or overreaching anyone.
——Don't oppress people or frighten anyone, don't lie, don't want more, don't complain. Luke 3:10-14
Therefore, in all things, whatever you desire that others should do to you, you do the same to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Mat 7:12
(This is another way of saying: love your neighbor as yourself.)
And before you can hear the Word of the Lord within your heart to further guide you to being free from sin, the inner law on the heart of every man, which includes moral core of the outward law, is your schoolmaster.
The moral core of the law is: love your neighbor as you love yourself; and don't steal; and don't commit adultery; and don't lie; and don't covet; and don't murder; and honor your father and mother.
These commandments are included as a part of the inner law that is written on every man's heart, their conscience bearing witness as their thoughts accuse or else excuse them;
God will judge the secrets of all men's hearts, according to this law, from which no man is excused. Rom 2:13-16
Clearly to observe these moral commandments as best we can, while waiting for the Spirit's direction, is not doing works of the law.
The moral law remind us of our shortcomings and motivates us to go to God to receive his heart and soul purifying grace,
— to become free of all sin, even the desire to sin,
— to be able to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might, and
— to be able to love your neighbor as yourself.
In addition there are works, not done by the will of man, but works of faith;
works that you hear from Christ within your heart command you to do, when you go to wait on him, listen in silence, hear him, believe him, and then obey him.
These are not works that you decide to do; these are works that God wills you to do, and when you do them, you are doing his will on earth as it is done is heaven.
These are works of faith done in loving obedience to the commands you hear God speak to you from within your heart.
The first works you are commanded to do are works of repentance, which occurs by hearing the Spirit and obeying his commands to you.
The words you hear Him speak to you are Spirit and impart the life of God, John 6:63;
more words, more spirit, until you have so much of His life, that you become pure.
From the Word of the Lord within: "Faith within purifies."
_______________________________________