Acts 11:17-18 (ESV)

17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

These words that the Apostle spoke are so wonderful because in them he confirms that salvation is not reserved for a select few.  It is for everyone and anyone who chooses to believe and receive!  All that is required to gain this freedom is for them to recognize and confess their sins against God.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

The Apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy just how to maximize his liberty in a way that will lead others to salvation as well.  If the words in Acts 11 are wonderful, these words from Paul very sobering.

Every human being is either under the influence of an external force, either God or the devil, and they both leverage conviction, but with different results.  The conviction of sin either can lead us away from God or it can lead us to Him.

The Apostle Peter and Judas Iscariot both were remorseful over their actions towards Jesus.  Peter denied ever knowing Jesus, and Judas surrendered Jesus to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver.

Peter was extremely remorseful.  When he realized what he had done, he ran off and cried bitterly, repenting to God.  Not to long later, the risen Jesus restored him and forgave him.  Judas was extremely remorseful over what he had done to Jesus.  He tried to fix it but couldn’t.  He too ran off, but instead of running to God, he went and hung himself.

Application:

Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from repenting and returning to God.  Don’t let regret and sin keep you from finding true freedom that Jesus is offering you today.