The Need of Repentance

Luke 13:3, "but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Luk 24:46-49 "46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high

The Lord Jesus commanded us to preach repentance and remission of sins to all nations. This type of preaching is lacking in this day and time but in order for any person to be saved, they must repent. We have a great need and that is we need to be delivered from our sins. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). We were separated from God because of Adam's sin in the garden and sin has now passed down to every person. There is no way to get out of it. According to Jesus in order to receive remission of sins, we must repent. He did not say that repentance saved you. The blood of Christ is what saves us but if you don't repent then you won't receive forgiveness. It is a necessary ingredient in anyone’s salvation experience. In order to repent, you realize your need.

So, in order to understand your need, you must understand your condition. The Bible says that no man seeks after God (Romans 3:10-12). We in our natural thinking don't want God at all. We are naturally at enmity with God (Romans 8:7). The Bible declares that we were conceived in iniquity, and we are born speaking lies (Psalm 51:5). This is why God chose preaching. The Lord Jesus commanded us to preach in order to show mankind their condition. We are to warn people. The prophet Joel sounded an alarm because the day of the LORD was at hand (Joel 2:1). This was a great mercy that the Lord provided. The fact that God would warn us of our destruction is grace. God did not have to do this. He would be just in condemning us for our sin. The Lord wants sinners to repent so that He can show mercy and forgive you. The Greek word for repent is metanoia, which means to change one’s mind. This is why we preach. We are trying to help you think right about yourself and think right about God. The Spirit of God also has to open your understanding, but God chose the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. It takes both.

[Joe 2:12-13 KJV] "12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."

I want to encourage anyone who reads this to not see repentance as a dread. It is a gift that God has granted us. Why would we not receive such a wonderful gift? Why would you want to be condemned? If you have not come to Christ, then you are condemned already (John 3:18). In order to come to Christ, you must repent of your sins and turn to Him.

[Act 11:18 KJV] "18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

[Rom 2:4 KJV] "4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"

Repentance is a necessary work that must take place in a person’s life if they are to be saved. It is in an ingredient that will be in anyone's testimony if they are truly saved. Often, I believe that the word repentance is automatically looked on as a negative thing that we must go through. Actually, though, repentance is a wonderful grace that God has given in order that we may live. I want to be faithful in preaching it as the Lord commanded me.

Pastor Joel Clayton