Our Lord said this over and over.
Do we get it?
John the Baptist and Jesus Christ began their public ministries with the call to ”Repent”. Matthew 3:2; 4:17
3:2 “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”
4:17 17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus closes his earthly ministry by charging the disciples to preach repentance in his name Luke 24:47
47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
From the gospel, it was repentance, over and over again, that was the answer to the question, “How then shall we live?”
We first must see our own sin. Many Christians believe there is no sin in them but everyone else are sinners. This prevents many Christians, in their pride from coming to Christ.
Recognizing our sin should bring a great sorrow upon us, a sorrow for our sin itself. Upon confession the Person of the Holy Spirit is active in helping us into true repentance. We cannot do this through our own will.
Confession is key.
1 John 1:7-9
7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is …
True confession is voluntary, sincere, not mechanical or forced. It is as specific as possible, not general.
Today we are so sinful and prideful that many gloat and proudly proclaim their sins! There truly is no shame. But shame is something we should feel because our sin is no small thing.
Over time we should develop a hate for our sins and depend on the Lord and the Holy Spirit to help us change our hearts and behavior.
Repentance is one of the greatest grace gifts afforded to the Christian. From it we learn more about who Jesus intends for us to be as we seek the joy of being holy.