The
Purpose of Repentance
Matthew 3:1-2 3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness
of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.
In those days immediately
preceding the introduction of Christ Jesus, came John the Baptist preaching in
the area near Jericho. He was encouraging the people to repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is at hand. John recognized the people were going in the wrong direction.
John was saying, I baptize you
with water unto repentance. Water baptism was an outward act of an inward word
being carried out. He spoke of Christ who was coming after him. Saying of the
Christ, who was to come after him that He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit
with fire.
John was only a forerunner for our
Lord and savior, Christ Jesus. When Jesus came to John to be baptized it was
signifying the greatest moment in human history thus far, the beginning of the
earthly ministry of Christ Jesus.
This baptizing of Jesus was to
testify of his death, burial and resurrection, of which the water baptism is a
type of. As Jesus came up out of the water, he came up praying. The heavens
opened up. Heaven had been closed to man since the fall in the garden of Eden.
Now through Jesus it would open up.
That being said, what then is the
purpose of repentance. Repenting is when you are telling God that you are sorry
for your sins, asking him to forgive you. Never say you have no sin in your
heart, the word says different.
Romans 3:23 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God;
The word All
represents all humans saved and unsaved. Even the most righteous among us
continue to come short of the glory of God on a continuing basis. Why, because
we live in a flesh body, in a corrupt world that is under Satan’s deception and
wickedness.
John 10:10 10 The thief cometh
not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The devil says I come to steal and destroy, Jesus says, I
come that you might have life and life in abundance. We shouldn’t focus on
negative thinking; we need to stay focused on the word.
Luke 24:47-48 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.
Repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in His name. There are not a lot of preachers that are
teaching repentance from their pulpit. This is how we present Gods method of
proclaiming His word and carrying out his will, any other method is unscriptural.
Gods plan of salvation is for all regardless
of race color or culture. It is meant for the whole world.
We are witnesses of these things
through the written word of God Christianity was not begun due to enlightened
philosophy as with some religions, it was begun by men and women who witnessed
the incarnate son of God in all his earthly ministry, as well as his death and
resurrection.
They saw it happening and they
testified to it.
2 Peter 3:9 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as
some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Sometimes God delays the fulfillment of His promises for
the purpose of getting more people into the Kingdom of God. God is long
suffering with man, hoping man will reach a place of repentance.
The dispensation of the cross has been the longest of all
and it is because God keeps calling sinners to be saved. He made a way through
the cross and the finished work of Christ Jesus for all to be saved. Sadly some
refuse to repent and accept the way of the cross, they continue in their sin
and do not repent.
Now that you understand the purpose of repentance you
might think: but brother Andy when I had a conversion change by accepting Jesus
as Lord and Savior didn’t that remove all my sins? Past, present and future
sins? Yes if your conversion experience was a heartfelt meaningful meeting with
the Lord, your conversion will do that.
Ephesians 1:13 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye
were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
When at the time you were saved all your sins were set apart from you.
that is called sanctified, which means as if you had never sinned. At this time
your spirit was sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Now your spirit can not sin, however you still live in a flesh body in a
corrupt world. You still have human desires and weaknesses. You are made up of
body-soul-and spirit. Your spirit has been sealed and can’t sin but your soul
and physical body can and will sin.
This is the reason we need to repent every day of our lives. When you
make Jesus the Lord of your life you will be in a battle with the world the
flesh and the devil. You will be faced with many temptations, and give in to
some. Some days I must repent multiple times. I want my Lord and God to know I
love him and am sorry for sinning.
When we sin and repent, God puts our sins in a sea for forgetfulness and
they are gone forever. We already have the victory because of Jesus’ death on
the cross. I have confidence that you and I will win this battle by the grace
of God. Jesus walks with us no matter what is going on in our lives.
Continue to repent, continue to thank God. The word tells us to pray unceasingly.
I believe you can do this. Remember the battle is already won.
Stay in the word,
Brother Andy
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