Luke 13:2–3 “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.”

There is judgment upon every sinner. This judgment is death and destruction. Many untimely deaths are the result of disobedience to the law of God. Although God may use certain circumstances for His glory to be revealed, death remains a consequence of sin and disobedience. Once it comes, there is no reversal; one must face the repercussions of all that was done in the flesh, and those consequences are eternal.

If you do not open the door to the enemy of your soul, he will not gain access to afflict you with things that may lead to an untimely death.

The disciples came to Jesus to tell Him about those who had perished suddenly—those whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices and those who died when the tower in Siloam fell upon them.

Perhaps they expected Jesus to express sorrow or pity for them. Instead, He told them that if they thought those people were greater sinners than others, they were mistaken. He warned them that unless they repented, they too would likewise perish.

It is God’s mercy that protects sinners. If His mercy is withdrawn from a sinner, judgment follows, and that judgment is irreversible.

The mercy of God is the opportunity given to us day by day to amend our ways. He waits for us to open the door of our hearts to Him so that He may guide us in the path that leads to victory over the enemy. Yet many refuse to let Him in.

Many people postpone their salvation until tomorrow, not knowing what tomorrow holds. Some who expected to live until next year never saw the next day. If God were to open our eyes to see the plans of the enemy against us, we would not hesitate to surrender our lives completely to Jesus and allow Him to take charge. We would not withhold anything that Satan could use against us.

Men are not in a position to determine the date of their death. God brought us into the world, and He alone determines when our earthly lives will end. No one knows the future; it is in the hands of God. His desire is that we repent before the evil day comes.

The enemy may have the power to kill, but he does not have the authority to cast souls into hell. Therefore, when you hear that someone has died, ask yourself: “If it had been me, where would I be? If I had not repented, what would my eternal destiny be?”

When we see others dying, we often fail to think about ourselves. We may assume it was their fault while ignoring our own shortcomings. But if death were to knock at your door today, what account would you give to your Creator?

God sent you into this world; you did not send yourself. He knows your beginning and will determine your end. Just as no one chose the day they were born, no one knows the day they will die. We are entirely dependent upon God’s mercy.

We all arrive at different times. Even twins are not born at exactly the same moment. Likewise, each person will depart when his or her appointed time comes and stand before God to give an account of all that was done in the flesh. Where will you be if you refuse to repent while there is still time?

Those who died when the tower of Siloam fell did not plan for it. Those whom Herod killed did not expect it. Yet their appointed time arrived, and they were called to give an account before God.

Those who brought the news to Jesus assumed the victims were greater sinners than themselves. They failed to realize that the victims’ day of reckoning had simply arrived before theirs. One day, their own time would come as well. Unless they repented and changed their ways, they too would face judgment.

God’s mercy is abundant, but an individual’s opportunity to receive it ends if he continually refuses to repent. For those who embrace repentance, His mercy remains available. When death comes to an unrepentant sinner, the opportunity for mercy is gone, and judgment follows.

Even if you have repented, are you continually examining your life through the mirror of God’s Word to identify areas where you need to change?

Just as the spirit of a man searches the inward parts of his heart, allow the Word of God to search your life. Let it reveal where the enemy may be accusing you before God’s throne, and make the necessary corrections.

No one is perfect. That is why believers must daily rely upon the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. When your time comes to stand before God, may you not be found guilty, but cleansed by His precious blood.

The call to repentance that was proclaimed in the days of Jesus Christ remains the same today. God never changes, and neither does His message to humanity. Repentance is the key to heavenly blessings and spiritual resources.

Repentance silences the accuser and breaks the bonds of wickedness. Repentance lifts a person above the influence of the devil and enables him to receive his inheritance in Christ.

Repentance is the link between man and God. It grants access to become a child of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Without a change of heart, genuine repentance cannot take place. It is that transformed heart that produces a transformed life and a deeper relationship with God.

If you do not change, you cannot expect your life to change. The changes God works within you bring His purpose into alignment with your destiny.

A lack of genuine repentance results in a lack of genuine deliverance. God sees everything done in secret, and He will reward every person according to his deeds.

Evil is increasing across the earth. The clouds of God’s judgment against the disobedience of men are gathering. Those who repent of their wicked ways will be spared from the wrath to come. Even for the sake of the elect, God has determined to shorten the days of tribulation. Where will you be on that day—inside Christ or in the world? Make your decision now, for tomorrow may be too late.

Only repentance can keep you safe, transferring your name from among the spiritually dead into the kingdom of God’s marvelous light, where true life reigns.

Someone recently complained on the internet that God has failed humanity because people are dying young. But is God responsible when people reject Christ? Many perish because they reject the One who is Life.

Those who reject Christ become vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy because they are outside the protection found in Him. When the accuser comes against them, they have no refuge in the covering provided through Jesus Christ.

Sin has shortened man’s life since the beginning of history. Those who refuse to seek God often become easy targets for the wicked one. Repent now so that you will not be among those who fail to fulfill the purpose for which they were born.

From the beginning of creation, God’s call has been a call to righteousness and repentance. This was the message proclaimed through the Law of Moses and the prophets. Yet man’s righteousness could never compare with God’s perfect righteousness. Therefore, God brought His righteousness to us through Jesus Christ.

Whoever desires to be righteous in God’s sight must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. This is the righteousness of the saints—the wedding garment prepared for those who will stand in the presence of God.

Prayer: Father lord, I surrender my self righteousness at the feet of your cross, clothe me with your righteousness, in Jesus name amen.