Acts 17
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to change their minds, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man [Jesus] whom he has appointed. And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).
Paul is speaking before a crowd of philosophers at the Areopagus in Athens (v. 22). After clarifying who God is and what he is like, he encourages his audience to move from Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Greek paganism toward belief in the one, true God of Scripture, the God of the Jewish people. He finishes by declaring God's future judgment and offers proof of what he is saying--Jesus' historical death and resurrection (v. 31).
To be saved, we must change our worldview from whatever we're currently trusting in to trust in the God of the Bible and his Son, Jesus. Repentance is a change of worldview. It is not easy to change one's worldview, especially as one gets older. But the proof we should and must is there--the resurrection of Jesus. God does not overlook ignorance anymore. We have all the evidence we need to trust in his Son for salvation. Future judgment is certain. Will we believe in God's Son or not?
Father, may we reorient our thinking to what is true. Our hearts are deceitful, and we so easily miss the way. We are prone to wander from you. We set up idols for ourselves and worship them, abandoning you, the one, true God. But you are right there welcoming us back to you. Your grace and forgiveness are freely given. Thank you for the message of the gospel by which we are saved from sin and eternal death. May we not stop proclaiming the good news as Paul and his companions did. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman