Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let’s open God’s Word, to hear His voice, and allow His truth to transform our hearts and minds. Today, we will consider a truth that is absolutely foundational to our faith, a truth that is often misunderstood, sometimes overlooked, but without which, salvation remains out of reach. I speak of the necessity of repentance for salvation.
From the very beginning of the New Testament, the call to repentance rings out with divine authority. When John the Baptist told people to prepare for coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. His message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” — Matthew 3:2 John the Baptist. — And when Jesus Himself began His earthly ministry, His first sermon was: “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” — Mark 1:15
Notice that repentance is not an option. It is the necessary preparation of our heart for the receiving of Christ and his Holy Spirit. Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for your sins. True repentance is a radical change of mind, a complete turning around, a change of direction, a turning away from our way of living and committing to God’s way of living.
Imagine you’re walking down a road, and you suddenly realize it’s the wrong road, leading you further and further away from your desired destination. — Repentance is a decision to turn around, and walk in the opposite direction,
On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter declared. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 2:38 — Repentance is the prerequisite for the forgiveness of our sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Because sin is a rebellion against the holy God. It is a deliberate turning away from His righteous standard. And if we are to be forgiven and receive eternal life, we must confess our sins and turn away from them. Repentance is the act of humbly submitting to God’s way for us to live.
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that sin is to be erased in our life. — “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 — Our sin creates a barrier between us and God. Repentance is the first step in bridging that divide. We turn from our sin and turn to the One who offers forgiveness.
The bible makes it clear that we are saved because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. It is not something we can do by ourselves. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 — But true faith always includes a willingness to obey Christ’s command and turn from the sin. — It is the shedding of our old way of living and choosing to let God’s new way of living take its place.
Genuine faith produces and a change of heart that regrets our sins and turns toward God. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 7:10
When the apostles preached, they didn’t just invite people to believe in Jesus, but declared, “God commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. — Acts 17:30
So, examine your heart. Have you truly turned from your sin and embraced Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Is there a genuine desire to walk in obedience to Him? If not, then ask God to forgive you. Receive Christ into your heart and receive God’s glorious gift of salvation.
Lastly, if we stumble and sin again know this, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1st John 1:9 Followers
Trust in God’s love for you. If you are sincere, he will always forgive you. Learning to walk with Christ is a lifetime’s journey. God is patient. Every time you fall down, get back up and try again. God is always for you, never against you. He is the best friend you’ll ever have. Give your life to Him!