Luke 13:2-5
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
-The gap between the righteous and the unrighteous is an eternity long, but can be covered in a single sentence; a single idea. The difference is not that one group decided to clean up their act. The difference is not that their “good” outweighed their “bad.” It’s simply a matter of repentance. The word “repent” that Jesus uses here is the Greek word “metanoeó” and means to change one’s mind or purpose. If you would truly follow Jesus, you must change your mind about following the path you are already on and purpose in your heart to follow where He would lead you. We are all predisposed to sin. We are formed in iniquity (Psalm 51:5) and none of us does righteously or seeks after God (Romans 3:10-11). If you desire salvation, an escape from unending damnation, you must be willing to forsake everything that you have done, everything that you trust, everything that is not of God and then you can follow Jesus.
