Some questions are just surprising. This is one of them. How is there a gospel message without repentance from sins?
Some like to say that repentance is a “work” and since we aren’t saved by works, then repentance is not necessary for salvation. Those who say such things have not read the Bible, understood the gospel, or listened to the core preaching and teaching of Jesus and the apostles.
The problem partly comes from how the gospel has been presented. Historically, salvation has been
- Say a prayer and God saves you
- God has a wonderful plan for your life
- Just get baptized
It’s not that there isn’t truth to each of these. There is. But there’s more to the story. Look at one of the Great Commissions. Not the one found in Mathew 28 that is so popular. More on that in just a second.
First, let’s look at the message of Jesus and the apostles.
John the Baptist – In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2)
Jesus – “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
The Disciples that were sent out by Jesus – “And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” (Mark 6:11-13).
Lazarus in Hell in the Parable Jesus told – “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead'” (Luke 16:29-31).
Peter – “And Peter said to them, “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).
Paul – “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21)
Over and over the message was the same. God has given you the ability to be forgiven by repenting and putting your faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance for the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ IS the gospel, the good news. Look at the Great Commission found in Luke 24:45-47:
[Jesus speaking] “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:45-47).
What is message of the great commission? That repentance for the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ would be proclaimed to all nations. This is the good news.
The good news goes beyond that God loves you. It is that God loves you so much that he sent Jesus to die for you, giving you the ability to be forgiven of your sin. This requires repentance.
Repentance is a great gift.
If you have ever repented and asked someone for forgiveness, and they have not forgiven you, then you know what a gift it is to be forgiven. But forgiveness has a pre-requisite–repentance.
And what is repentance?
It goes beyond feeling sorry for your sins.
It is much more than a prayer.
It is not simply words.
Repentance is turning away from your sins. Not living or practicing the deeds of darkness anymore.
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:8-10).
Just saying some words is not enough. One needs to turn from the deeds of darkness and pursue, run after, and live in righteousness.
But if, after you have repented and turn to Christ, you still struggle with sin? (Trust me, you will.)
Then you repent, get back up again, find accountability, and jump back in the race. Falling is no excuse to stay on the ground. And as we are learning to walk in righteousness, there is grace.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).
We will at times stumble. But “there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) as we are growing in putting to death the deeds of the flesh. We continually live to please the Spirit of God, not our flesh.