God's Judgment on a Nation
When God pronounces judgment on a nation through a prophet, there is a space of time given in which the people are allowed to repent. First, they must hear what they are doing wrong (Ezek. 3:17-19, 21). Then, they must be told how to repent by doing what is right. Notice that after Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar how to repent, 12 months went by before the curse announced by the angel of God came to pass (Dan. 4:27, 29, 37).
The Apostle Peter describes the repentant life saying, cease to do evil, learn to do good (1 Peter 3:8-12; Is. 1:16-17). If the people were practicing wickedness, they had to stop doing those things and start practicing righteousness for God. If the people were using their bodies to do evil, they were told to begin to use their bodies to do good (Rom. 6:13; 12:1, 21).
When the King of Nineveh heard of impending judgment on his city, he issued a proclamation that all the people, herds and flocks should fast from eating food and drinking water. Then, he commanded all his people to cease from sinning, to cease from all forms of wickedness and violence. When God saw their deeds, that they had turned from their wicked ways, He did not do what He had declared He would do to them (Jonah 3:6-10).
The word of God says there is only one way to repent and turn from your wicked ways and that is by doing good deeds for God (Acts 26:20). That is how you turn away from your evil ways (Job 1:1; 2:3). It is the only Way! It is the narrow Way that few find (Matt. 7:14).
It is ridiculous to think that a person can repent by doing nothing, as millions are erroneously being taught today. You cannot repent by living a life of doing nothing for your Savior, Jesus Christ. God says doers of the word are the only ones who are justified among those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ (James 2:24).
Now is the time to repent before God so that when God brings this nation into judgment for its sins, you will not be part of that judgment. God is going to send curses upon the whole world to test the people of the world (Rev. 3:10). He is going to determine who the righteous and the wicked will be (Mal. 3:18). He wants to know who will be the sheep and serve others by doing good for God, and who will be the goats because they refuse to repent and do good for God (Matt. 25: 33, 40, 46). In which group will you be?