TEXT: Jonah 3:10 (CSB) – “God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it.”
We have been looking at the life of Jonah – and his preaching to the Ninevites. A truly vicious and bloodthirsty group of people. We saw how God gave Jonah a second chance, and how God offered to these people. We also saw that they heeded God’s message – repented – and accepted His offer of a second chance.
So today, let’s notice God's reaction: “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not.”
This is still true, becoming a Christian has got to be more than a fad ... it must indeed become fact! With the confession of sins should also come a dedication to change, of course with the help of the Holy Spirit! Those who confess they are believers and still live like unbelievers cheapen God’s grace!
We are to be a separated people, values unlike those of this world. Practices that clearly shout: "WE ARE THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD!" We "bear His name falsely" when we claim salvation while we live in sin!
If these Ninevites could alter their lifestyle anyone today can, especially since now we have the help of the Holy Spirit! But, the Holy Spirit has to have a cooperative Human spirit! We are proclaiming to a world that Jesus is coming soon, find Him before it's too late ... the message is simple and can be backed up by our own lives ... we too have been given by God the second chance for life eternal ... by partaking of Christ!
They took this salvation stuff seriously, so should we! This was no light commitment! It would require massive changes in attitudes and lifestyles! They were willing just so they could live beyond the next 40 days! How about you and I who are looking at eternity?
God offers saving compassion! God was willing and able to avoid destroying them ... in fact, He went to great lengths in sending Jonah just so this could save so many lives!
God takes no delight in the lostness of anyone!
It is not His intention that any should perish, but that all would come!
Yet it is left up to us to come or not to come, He will not force the issue, but He will plead ... He will go sometimes to great lengths to get our attention, all we need to do is turn! "God is slow to anger" -- quick to grant mercy and forgiveness! Why not take advantage of a wonderful God's love ... COME! Consider what we have learned so far in this book --
· Running away FROM God only secures more pain and emptiness ... and sometimes greater bitterness than running TO God!
· Running TO God will land you in His arms of forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, joy, and eternal life!
· Running WITH God teaches us that He is a God of the Second Chance.
A rebellious Jonah found God's grace and a second chance ... so did a wicked generation of Ninevites! When the call came the second time, Jonah obeyed, when the Ninevites heard the message that God was going to give them a second chance to be saved they quickly responded, how about you, are you responding to the wonderful Lord who offers you another chance?
Take the offer while there is still time, the difference will be your destination in eternity!
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