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"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32
It is important to understand the nature of the
restored relationship that God has called you to, and
has taught us of in the above words spoken by the
Lord Jesus Christ. It is an entirely new existance in
Him, Who is perfect in holiness and righteousness.
We have been called to repentance, which is the
turning away 180 degrees, from the rebellion in our hearts
which is against the righteousness of God. This occurs
in both thoughts and in deeds. Within the mind, it is a reconsideration
of one's ways, as compared to the holy calling towards righteous living.
In deeds, this will mean the self-sacrifice of those worldly
desires of our flesh. Those desires work against the new spirit placed
in you at the time you are born again.
Just what is the gospel of Jesus Christ? In a beautiful clarity
of scripture, Jesus of Nazareth told His disciples in two-fold detail,
exactly what gospel was to be preached in His name;
 Luke 24:47
"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
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It is evident that Christ's gospel is two-fold in
nature, as He commanded that both repentance and
remission of sins be preached to the world. So then,
to teach the forgiveness of sins through the
atonement made by Christ's shed blood, but neglect
to preach repentance would indeed be a huge omission
of the truth about salvation.
Here is something that is very interesting to notice!
The Luke 24:47 verse (above) was spoken by Jesus at the point of His
ascension up into Heaven from the Mount of Olives. It was fifty days later
when the Holy Ghost would fall on the Apostle Peter at Jerusalem (at Pentecost),
where he boldly preached the Gospel when empowered by the Holy Ghost.
When Peter did speak at Jerusalem at Pentecost- these are the words that he spoke to
those who wanted to be saved; (Note the order in
which Peter preaches the points of salvation);
Acts 2:38
"Repent, and be baptised 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."
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See that Peter conveyed exactly those two things which Jesus
instructed from the Mount of Olives, and in the exact order! So
we see then that repentance is 50% of Christ's gospel and must be realized.
You must make a reconsideration of your thoughts and deeds, compare them to the
holiness of God, and yield to His will.
In every way that your life is in rebellion
against the heavenly Father, you must repent. How
will you find the strength and the power to turn
away from those desires of the flesh that beset
all people? The answer is by the power of the Holy
Spirit -- the gift He will give upon your faith and water baptism in
His name, (not necessarily in that order).
Remember in looking at exactly how we become born
again how we learned that God would give His Spirit
to those who call on His name? He will keep His promise to do so;
John 1:11
But as many as received him, to them gave
he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name:
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He will perform the work of repentance and sanctification in your life as you yield
to Him. You have but to call upon the name of the LORD,
asking to be forgiven and to receive of His Holy
Spirit, and He will empower you to walk in newness of life.
As you do this, His word and His Spirit in you, will guide and
direct you in every necessary action in your new (eternal) life. You have
but to continue in His hearing. If God's Spirit be in you, then you will
naturally reflect His Spirit.
Listen for the leading of His Spirit.
When you do hear his voice speak to your heart
about a matter in which repentance is necessary,
that is the time for you to respond, "Yes, Lord." You
will find that repentance is not a dirty word- but
rather is something to embrace. Because its end is
obedience and a closer walk in the light of His
fellowship. This will bring great joy and more of a desire to be closer
to Him. See 1 John 1:7.
 I search my hearth and my ways. And through faith in GOD, I repent.
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