What shall we do?

What Shall We Do?

Here we are, seemingly at the final hours of time, and the Church is dithering around in, seemingly, ever decreasing circles. One pulls the flock one way while another tries to pull them in an entirely different direction. No-one really knows what to do or which way to go. It all reminds me of the day of Pentecost when the men of Jerusalem, confronted by their sin, cried out “What shall we do?” Acts 2:36-38 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Surely, many of the flock in the present church, realising the time, are crying out the same thing because they are hearing nothing from their own pulpit. There is no guidance, no Godly leadership on which the ordinary Christian can rely in this season.

“What shall we do?” “What shall we do?”

Peters response was very apposite for us today – Acts 2:39 - “ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Is this not the cry for our age? Is this not an echo through 2000 years of Christianity that calls us back to the Throne of Mercy? Is this not the definitive instruction for every one of us today – clear, concise, wise, and Godly. It pulls no punches and it takes no prisoners. It leaves no room for very much argument. It is as though The Lord Jesus Himself were speaking directly to each one of us.

Surely this is the word for today. Repent and turn away from your sinful ways. Receive and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Respond to God’s call on your life. The trouble is, this is such an “old-fashioned” message. Well maybe, brothers and sisters, just maybe, we need to hear again the oldest message in the world – repent and return to God, your heavenly Father. It is so simple, so clear and unequivocal that we simply need to hear and respond to it once again.

If we do this, then God has promised certain salvation, sure hope for whatever the future holds, and peace in our hearts – even the joy of our salvation again. Is that not worth a little bit of effort on our part?

Let us get ourselves ready for the Bridegroom. Lamps full, wick trimmed, oil to spare – ready to receive our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ - Lamb of God, King of kings and Lord of lords.