"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." These words were preached by John the Baptist and by Jesus Christ. They were powerful words when spoken by these two men so long ago. They changed many lives when people believed them and came to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. They also condemned a lot of people when they refused to believe them and they continued to trust in their own works for making them right with God. God’s word is always active in these two ways.During this Lenten season God’s word will be proclaimed in many different settings. But its purpose is always the same as that stated above: either to create faith and comfort God’s people, or to warn and condemn unbelief in those who reject or deny his gifts. No one comes to faith or enters the kingdom of heaven in any other way than through the gifts of God that are given through His word and sacraments.Repent means "to turn around" or "to turn away from sin and return to walk with God." This is not a decision based upon a person’s own abilities; instead, it too is a gift of God worked into the hearts of sinners by a gracious God for the sake of his son, Jesus Christ, who died to pay the debt of sin. This is what makes it certain and eternal. This is why Christians can be so confident in their faith because it is the work of God and all we have to do is trust what God has promised.Our lives have been changed through the grace which God showers upon us. Even though we still make our mistakes every day, He has promised to forgive them all for the sake of Jesus. This is what sets the Christian apart from the non-Christian. We are not afraid to admit our sins because through Christ they are removed from our record. He also continues to give us the proper guidance we need to live an obedient life to God. God is generous with his gifts and makes them available to all people. He wants all people to live with him in heaven forever. He sent his son to satisfy the debt of sin so that no one else need ever suffer for a single sin. This is his promise of truth. All anyone needs to do to be assured of their place in heaven is to believe what God has said. It is no different today than it was in the days of John the Baptist and Jesus and even before. God’s word changes lives and reveals the heart of the triune God. Some people believe and experience the wonderful love of God while others refuse to believe and are condemned to a life of hopelessness.During this Lenten season listen to the word of God and be blessed for all eternity.