It Is The Gospel That Leads To Repentance

The gospel of Jesus Christ is so amazing that it does not point you to the worst of yourselves but point you to the best of yourselves in Christ.When we read the bible,we don’t look for self because it produce fear, frustration, disappointment but we look for Jesus and when we find Jesus we find ourselves in him.We don’t endeavor to read the Bible just to get knowledge,

1 Corinthians 13 says that Knowledge puffs up but love edifies, but we read the word of God to unveil Jesus and when we keep on seeing the personality of Jesus in our heart we are transformed from glory to glory.

Today,We will be talking about repentance

Repentance in the Greek is the word ‘METANOEA’ which means change of mind. A lot of people has gotten the point of repentance all in the wrong view but am I here to estimate, speculate, pin point people’s fault. NO!! I am here to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the edify the body of Christ as one. As I said earlier on,Repentance is simply change of mind.This bring in remembrance of a man of God in the name of Martin Luther King who had also had this all wrong and thought of repentance as just confessing and been remorseful of his sins, he became so conscious of his sins that he went to the monk’s and went away with this sin consciousness until he checked the word ‘repentance’ in the Greek and saw it was simply change of mind and he was amazed and proclaimed that ‘LORD I AM YOUR SIN ON THE CROSS, YOU ARE My Righteousness and that removed the stumbling block for him.

Repentance is change of mind. People convey it as repent from sins but no one, brothers and sisters taught the phrase ‘repents from sins’. That produces sin consciousness

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

The gospel is full of the assurance of faith. John had two ministry one was the preaching of the repentance for the remission of sins and the act of baptism(confession of sins). We are righteous by the faith in the blood of Jesus.And when you understand this you know that there is difference between the old covenant(law) and new covenant(grace and truth). In Hebrews 10 talks us of the will of God is to remove the old(law) and to establish the new(grace and truth). In the law you have to fulfill all to get the blessings of God that means that the blessings of God were achieved by man’s efforts but now there is a change in the new covenant God blesses because of Jesus not on your efforts.Jesus fulfilled the law and when we look unto him,we are transformed from glory to glory. Johns baptism was under the law so we don’t define repentance based on thatThe law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Repentance is to change your mind about all presumption of self righteousness and change your mind of thinking that through your efforts you can gain salvation and believe in the gospel that Christ died,was buried and rose from dead for your salvation.

Repentance is to change your mind about all presumption of self righteousness

If you notice apostle Paul in his epistles never said the word ‘repent’ but it was frequently used by the twelve apostles. WHY? They were talking to Jewish people. John the baptist main purpose was to revealed Jesus to the Jewish people (John 1). Peter used the word ‘repent‘ because he was pointing the unsaved (Jews) to Jesus36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
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Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Now we see from this scripture that Peter was preaching to the Jewish people who few days ago killed Jesus-their own brother, their Messiah and in verse 36 says that Peter preached Jesus. If you want to see more repentance going on in your family, career, church preach Jesus. Repentance is granted by God via through the preaching of Jesus. In verse 37 says they were pricked to the heart and said what can we do?

Repentance is granted by God via through the preaching of Jesus

That’s question showed that this Jewish people were then Peter says in verse 38 Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness for sins.This is not John’s baptism, John’s baptism(confession of sins ) is what the Jewish people already understand (Marks 1:3). Unbelieving Jews before Jesus came were confessing their sins all the time because it was under the law but in Acts 2:38 it was the goodness of God through the preaching of Jesus that led them to repentance.

Repentance is not salvation but leads you to salvation. In Acts 10:43 when Peter was in Cornelius house the bible record the word ‘repent’ .Peter said

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

He used only the word ‘believe’ whosoever believe in Jesus shall receive not achieve remission of sins. Peter always use the word ‘repent’  to mostly Jewish people because this people are of full of pride and Paul says about them in Romans 10:3-4

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For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
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KJV:For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Repentance is not salvation but leads you to salvation

They are full of self righteousness going about to establish their own righteousness that’s why they needed to repent and believe. It is just change your mind from going about to establish your own righteousness and believe in Jesus for the righteousness which comes by faith. Thats repentance.

In the chapter 11 of Acts when Peter returned back home the Jewish people said When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Repentance is granted by God.

The bible says Godly sorrow worketh repentance but Godly sorrow is not repentance.  When you see the love of God revealed in the cross where you kept all fiery indignation and judgment on Jesus it pricked your heart with sorrow and produces repentance.

Godly sorrow is not repentance.

A great man of God said, do you know you can be remorseful about your sins yet not repent from it? Let look at Judas Iscariot in Luke says, Judas repented and he hanged himself that’s not repentance other translation use the word ‘remorseful’. Judas Iscariot was remorseful and he hanged himself that’s not repentance because what he is saying in essence is that I am worthy of my sins NO!! you can remorseful about something bad you did or are doing, you can cry about it that’s not repentance. Repentance is looking unto the goodness of God on the cross not your fault and be transformed from glory to glory and this happens via through the preaching of the gospel. That’s why the gospel must be preached because God is pleased by this system that through the preaching of the gospel people are SOZOED(saved) (both believers and unbelievers).

 How do I get saved?

for God loved the world he gave up his only begotten and whosoever believeth shall have eternal life.

Believing in Christ as saviour through his death and resurrection is key to salvation but if you still insist on what your efforts to gain this salvation then REPENT.
For believers when we go to church and stick to the word everyday repentance is going on without you knowing when you continue acknowledge the grace of God.

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul says repentance toward God that means change your mind about what you see God as.You used to see God as judge but now see him as a gracious God willing to bless you.That’s repentance and Paul says faith in Christ which is believing.come to Christ the way you are as sinner(unbelievers) and believe in him and you will be saved but if you insist on your efforts to gain freedom from your sins then REPENT.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord Jesus once for your word that through this word I  receive your wisdom.And through it in my heart not my head and am blessed in.Amen.

Source :Christianitytoday