From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 ESV)
Years ago i read that Jesus will not change a persons standing before God, yet leave their character untouched. These words brought a lot of clarity to the Bible and to Christian living.
We read in Titus 2:11-14 a strong description of the work of grace in a Christians life:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."Often when Jesus healed someone He would also tell them to sin no more (eg John 5:14). As God He is offended by sin and will ultimately reject those who sin against Him:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’(Matthew 7:21-23)
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)I'm not sure that this is meant as a complete list of sins; but as examples of sin, and thankfully Paul continues in his next verse (1 Cor 6:11) by saying:
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Jesus felt the full wrath of God over sin while upon the cross, He did not merely glance over it but paid the cost to redeem us from sin and unto God. Sin is not to be trifled with nor accepted as ok. It is to be fought and put to death by the Spirit (Romans 8:13)
"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."
