How Much More? A Call to Repentance

By: Freivy Lopez

“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him” (Matthew 27:27-31).

The humiliation that any human being can endure is nothing compared to what Jesus experienced. Verse 26 of this passage tells us that he had already endured a tornado of blows. Was there no humanity in the hearts of these soldiers? They turned from men to executioners and from executioners to raging beasts, thirsting for blood.

Soldiers were summoned to witness this heartbreaking scene. Jesus was naked, surrounded by men possessed by evil, waiting for their turn to beat the bleeding body of an innocent being. The mockery continued; they placed a crown and a scepter on him, and they shouted, “King of the Jews!” as they spit in his face. How demeaning! Oh, the humiliation and suffering Jesus had to endure as he carried our sins!

I remember the first time I was sitting at my computer looking at pornography. The guilt was unbearable; it occupied most of my thoughts, and I didn’t sleep that night. The next day, I found myself in the same place watching the same thing, and sadly four years passed like this. Peace had left my heart; shame had occupied most of my thoughts. I felt like trash and worthless. When sin is in your life, it steals everything from you until it leaves you naked and humiliated.

But one day, Jesus came into my life! Sin had taken a lot from me, and I was no longer willing to endure another blow. I would not allow myself to feel naked again.

And you, how much more are you willing to bear? Don’t you think it’s enough? I don’t know how much you have been humiliated or how much you have suffered, but I want to tell you that Jesus loves you and can help you!

If you have already started walking with Jesus and it is your desire to serve him, you can truly be free. Of course, there is someone who is not happy about your decision and will look for any way to make you turn back. Satan will do anything to make you fall, and it is at that moment that your faith and trust in God should shine through. The Christian life is full of hurdles, and it is important to know that each obstacle we overcome helps us mature and grow spiritually.

You are a target for Satan’s attacks, and your past is the means he will use the most to bring you down. But I have acknowledged my past and told you about my addiction to pornography. Instead of writing this anonymously, I have determined that all will know my name: I am Freivy López, ex-missionary with Genesis. And I am writing so openly to tell you that you must allow God to purify you. It is time to throw away those things that you’re still holding onto. You can live, enjoy, sing, speak and serve freely!

Today I invite you to make a decision. This is the day for you to surrender everything to God. Don’t allow anything or anyone to stop God’s purpose in your life. Take time to talk to someone and confess your struggle or your sin. It will be difficult, but by doing it you will be allowing God’s holiness to cleanse and fill your heart. Remember, Jesus has paid the debt; there is no condemnation anymore!

*Freivy López is from Mexico and has served as a missionary in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. He is currently Director of Missionary Zones and Missionary Advance in Chiapas, Mexico.