Repentance: The Forgotten Command That Determines Eternity

[bdavidc]

The missing word in today’s Gospel is repentance. When was the last time you heard someone preach repentance? If you had to guess, it’s been a long time for most of us. But flip open the Bible and you’ll find the word on every page. John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus began His earthly ministry with nothing other than these words (Matthew 4:17). The apostles preached it, the early church lived it, and heaven itself exults when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). Repentance is not some minor theme of the Bible. It is at the very center of the gospel.

So what does repentance really mean? The New Testament word for repent, metanoia, refers to a change of mind that results in a change of direction. It’s not just feeling bad about your sin. It’s turning from sin and turning to God. Paul described it to the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). That’s repentance in action, not just regret but a total shift in loyalty.

Repentance and faith are not two steps. They are two sides of the same coin. To truly believe in Jesus is to turn from sin. To truly repent is to put your trust in Him. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost made this abundantly clear: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Faith without repentance is a hollow life and repentance without faith is a life of despair. Together they make up the biblical response to the gospel.

But repentance is not just words. It is something we should see manifested in a changed life. John the Baptist told his hearers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). The crowd asked, “What then should we do?” And his answer was startlingly practical: share with those in need, stop robbing people, be satisfied with what you have (Luke 3:10–14). Repentance is not merely an inward feeling. It results in outward change. Paul puts it this way: “Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20).

In my observation, this is where most modern preaching is lacking. People are told over and over that belief in Jesus doesn’t mean anything has to change, and yet Jesus never preached such a message. In fact, He was crystal clear that this is not the way of salvation: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The call of the gospel is not just to add Jesus to your life. It is to turn your life over to Him. It is to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow after Him (Luke 9:23).

And here’s the good news: repentance itself is a gift from God. In Romans 2: 4, Paul says, “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God does not expect us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He works in us to produce true repentance that leads to life. That’s why 2 Peter 3: 9 says He is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

True repentance changes lives. It’s not just a one-time event at the moment of salvation, though it does begin there. It should also be a way of life as we continually confess our sins and walk in obedience to Christ (1 John 1:9). Genuine repentance is marked by a changed direction, new desires, and a new life that produces fruit for God’s glory.

So here’s the question: have you repented? Have you turned from sin to God in Jesus Christ? This is not about adding religion to your life. It’s about turning from death to life. Jesus is calling you to repent and believe the gospel. This is the only way to be saved.

 

[Sue J Love]

The missing word in today’s Gospel is repentance. When was the last time you heard someone preach repentance? If you had to guess, it’s been a long time for most of us. But flip open the Bible and you’ll find the word on every page. John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus began His earthly ministry with nothing other than these words (Matthew 4:17). The apostles preached it, the early church lived it, and heaven itself exults when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). Repentance is not some minor theme of the Bible. It is at the very center of the gospel.

So what does repentance really mean? The New Testament word for repent, metanoia, refers to a change of mind that results in a change of direction. It’s not just feeling bad about your sin. It’s turning from sin and turning to God. Paul described it to the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). That’s repentance in action, not just regret but a total shift in loyalty.

Repentance and faith are not two steps. They are two sides of the same coin. To truly believe in Jesus is to turn from sin. To truly repent is to put your trust in Him. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost made this abundantly clear: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Faith without repentance is a hollow life and repentance without faith is a life of despair. Together they make up the biblical response to the gospel.

But repentance is not just words. It is something we should see manifested in a changed life. John the Baptist told his hearers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). The crowd asked, “What then should we do?” And his answer was startlingly practical: share with those in need, stop robbing people, be satisfied with what you have (Luke 3:10–14). Repentance is not merely an inward feeling. It results in outward change. Paul puts it this way: “Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20).

In my observation, this is where most modern preaching is lacking. People are told over and over that belief in Jesus doesn’t mean anything has to change, and yet Jesus never preached such a message. In fact, He was crystal clear that this is not the way of salvation: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The call of the gospel is not just to add Jesus to your life. It is to turn your life over to Him. It is to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow after Him (Luke 9:23).

And here’s the good news: repentance itself is a gift from God. In Romans 2: 4, Paul says, “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God does not expect us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He works in us to produce true repentance that leads to life. That’s why 2 Peter 3: 9 says He is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

True repentance changes lives. It’s not just a one-time event at the moment of salvation, though it does begin there. It should also be a way of life as we continually confess our sins and walk in obedience to Christ (1 John 1:9). Genuine repentance is marked by a changed direction, new desires, and a new life that produces fruit for God’s glory.

So here’s the question: have you repented? Have you turned from sin to God in Jesus Christ? This is not about adding religion to your life. It’s about turning from death to life. Jesus is calling you to repent and believe the gospel. This is the only way to be saved.

Amen! Amen! Amen! Absolutely the truth of what the Scriptures teach, that Jesus taught, and that his New Testament apostles taught, especially Paul, but not limited only to Paul. It is just that so many are saying today that Paul taught the opposite of what you just shared here, and that is a lie. The problem we have today is that too many people are relying on other humans and "memes" (short messages) to tell them the truth, and it seems not many are studying the Scriptures for themselves, in their correct biblical context. And so they are buying into these diluted and altered gospel messages which are taken from Scriptures taught out of context, and so many are believing that lip service only to God secures for them forgiveness of all sins and heaven as their eternal destiny. And that is because they are not reading the Scriptures in their true biblical context, and/or they prefer the lies over the truth, and so they reject the truth in favor of the lie. It is a very sad situation which breaks my heart. Thank you for speaking the truth without fear. Much appreciated! Sue Love

 

[Gothedral]

Saint Luke 3:8! Exactly! Let me say here that I have been in that horrid situation where "logically, I know I did wrong" (and that's putting things mildly)... but feeling and being sorry to the point of never committing the crime against humanity that is sinning against Our Living God Almighty?

I think of this context: 2nd Corinthians chapter 7: , where the Apostle Paul writes a letter to the congregation in Corinth, via Titus, a fellow disciple of Christ. The heart of the matter is defining "godly sorrow" as the fruit worthy for repentance...

(KJV) 2 Cor 7:1, 6, 9-11,16... Of course, please read the Holy Bible for yourself in its entirety. (Don't stray off the subject of Repentance. But a core copy and find God's Word in there

1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things."

The Apostle Paul and the disciple Titus lived penitent lives, and encouraged others to put in that effort, and go through the pain of realization of how crucial it is to change one's behavior. Only God can change other's hearts, and you (I say, knowing myself) can't improve your soul on your own.

Only Holy God Above has the power to heal you and clean your life and take you into Heaven. Amen.