Change or Else!

Repent; or else… —Revelation 2:16

Repentance is all about change—A change in one’s attitude about God, sin, and the object of one’s trust. When true repentance takes place it ultimately changes a person’s actions and decisions. A call to repentance is a call to change… OR ELSE! Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).

The prophet Jonah came to the wicked city of Nineveh and preached, “Forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). Why in forty days? Why didn’t God destroy it immediately? Because the goodness of God leads to repentance (Rom 2:4). God was giving Nineveh some space to repent (Rev. 2:21). It was “Repent, or else!” Nineveh repented and they turned from their evil ways to God. Therefore, God spared them when He saw the change in their behavior (Jonah 2:8-10).

Medical studies have shown that even though people who have had heart-bypass surgery are told that they must change their lifestyle or die, about 90 percent do not change. Typically, two years after surgery the patients haven’t altered their lifestyle. It seems that most would rather die than change.

The Lord called the churches in the book of Revelation to repent or suffer the consequences (Rev. 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19).

Is there anything in your life God wants you change. God says, “Repent, or else.” Believe me, you don’t want the “or else.”