“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish. vs2-3
Do you see the sins of others? Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
The fact that we see sin, call it out, and approve of judgment is a warning to us! God sees all sin too.
He has given us a way of escape from the wrath that’s coming, and we must take it, while we can, before the door shuts and closes forever.
Do not be like the Pharisee who said, “I thank You that I’m not like other men.” Be like the criminal who said, “God, be propitious to me a sinner.” “Put away Your own wrath, oh God,” must be our plea, and for this, He has given His Son. Before God, one man is not better than another: we all need Christ’s grace.
Grace leads us to loving each other and dealing justly. Not only is the fear of God in us, but He reminds us - day after day and moment by moment - that we’ve obtained mercy, so we cannot be unkind, unjust, and ungodly towards our neighbor. We are saved by pity, so we cannot lack pity. We are forgiven, so we must not refuse to forgive. Heaven must help us here, but there is continual grace and mercy.
I want to be real. This last week of violence in America, hurt, injustice, and exposed wrongs has really turned my heart to speak to an afflicted people - oppressed under the burden of our own self-government, despising God’s dominion. Different nations have different rules, and some get along well, but it all boils down to one thing: “Except YOU repent, you will all likewise perish.”