Words of Grace – March 13, 2014

“Repent,” said the apostle Peter in Acts 3:19, “and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”

To repent means to have a change of mind. To be converted means to have a change of direction.

The Lord Jesus spoke about the consequences of not being converted in Matthew 18:3. He said that except we be converted, we will never enter the Kingdom of heaven.

According to the Word of God, the whole world is going in the wrong direction. We need to be converted, to turn around and go in the right direction, to “repent and turn to God” (Acts 26:20). That’s conversion.

A very successful employer in the business world was once asked in an interview what qualities he looked for in the executives he chose to direct his many business ventures. This was the kind of man you want to listen to when it comes to worldly wisdom. His answer was:

“I look for men who can make the second decision.” When asked what he meant by making “the second decision,” he explained:

“Good executives will make many good decisions. But occasionally time and evidence will reveal that a bad decision had been made. Instead of trying to cover it up, he must have the courage to admit the mistake, accept the consequences, and make the decision to correct it. That’s the second decision.”

Though we have made the wrong decision in turning away from the Lord, we can now turn back to Him. We can make the second decision.