Repentance

Pastors, teachers, preachers and lay people need to preach of repentance. To teach of God and His word and to tell of the Gospel, and the good news of Jesus Christ, without mentioning repentance goes against the very Word of God. Much too often today, from the pulpits of main stream churches, some being the largest in America, we hear all about how good God is and what He can do for us; but very little, if anything, about our requirements. They are failing to tell of the need for repentance. Repentance is mentioned many. many times in the Bible. We can not merely trust God for His salvation and all He can do for us, without asking what He expects from us. He expects us to turn from our old ways. To turn from sin and our fleshly way of living and to change, to pursue holiness, and become more like Him. Grace is not a license to continue in our sinful ways. Will we sin? Yes! We will make mistakes, but we should not willfully continue in our wicked ways. God has so much to offer us. People can not truly experience the wonderful, life changing power of God, unless they turn from their sinful ways. When you pursue holiness and turn from your old ways, you do not miss them, because the rewards of a close relationship and walk with Him are so much better and so much more satisfying to the soul! God can fill any emptiness in your heart. He gives true peace and true joy!

The words of Jesus:

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matt 4:17)

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:31b-32).

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)
There . there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repentThere . there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10).

This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things (Luke 24:46-48)

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned (John 16:7-11).


The words of Peter:

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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:38-29).

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus (Acts 3:19-20).

God exalted [Jesus] to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him (Acts 5:31-32).

The words of Paul:

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).

I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus (Acts 20:21).

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds (Acts 26:20).

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (2 Cor 7:10).


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