Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke chapter thirteen starts with those who were present with Christ stating a discussion about some Galileans that Pilate had mingled their blood with their sacrifices. Jesus asked them “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans?” To this Jesus reply Nay! He the brings up the recent incident of a tower in Siloam falling on and killing eighteen people. Jesus again asked them “Suppose ye that these men were sinners above all those that dwelt in Jerusalem?” Again his answer was Nay? The important lesson here is simple. But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

The key to these verses is that all needs God’s salvation and this comes about through repentance.

Repentance is the first step in being right with God. In Romans 1:18-32 Paul makes the case at the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. As I read these verses I realize that I am guilty of some of the characteristics that Paul writes about in the verses. In verse thirty two he writes”Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” He follows this with Romans 2:1 “Therefore thou art excusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judges: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemns thyself, for thou that judges does the same things.” We are all guilty! Once we realize this there must be a turning away from this ungodliness and unrighteousness. This is repentance.

We live in a world surrounded by ungodliness and unrighteousness of which we are all a part of this whole. The first step in coming to Christ is not changing our ways but realizing our true nature and the ungodliness and unrighteousness we have in our life. It is an easy task to see the ungodliness and unrighteousness in the lives of those around of and overlook our sinful nature. However, the words of Christ in Luke chapter thirteen points to the need for all to repent and turn from our ungodliness. But how can I a sinful ungodly man repent and change my ways? The more I try the more I fail. True repentance is seeing our ungodliness and unrighteousness and realizing that we are on the wrong path and must change direction. How?