LUKE 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Christians should know that Christianity is not a game of chance, for the Bible has given us enough light on how to live a holy and acceptable life before God and have inheritance in His Kingdom. There is no hope of salvation for any man who follow religion, Christians must take heed to the doctrines of the Bible by accepting and acting on every jot or tittle of the word of God, that is to say that repentance occupies an important place in a Christian life, so every man should know that repentance is a commandment.
2 PETER 3:9
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.
WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
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Repentance is the deep inward experience of a man which makes him/her being a sinner to turn from sin to God; these experiences comes as a result of having sincere change by having Godly sorrow for sin, also mean, turning from all known sins, also mean a change of mind from evil to good.
1 JOHN 1:8-9
:But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
:If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
This true repentance follows a process of confessing and forsaking of one's sin. Any man that is truly repented sees sin the way God sees sin, that is anytime sin comes your way there is a kind of annoyance in you as if the devil himself is right in front of you. As a repented soul, your mind, purpose and action have been changed. You must know today that repentance is a departure point of old life style and the beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus. So, there is no Christianity without repentance.
DOES WATER BAPTISM GIVE REPENTANCE?
The answer is NO, without repentance water baptism is meaningless so one must repent before taking water baptism thereafter the Spirit of God will come upon such soul and have an indwelling in that soul which will now teach and rule his life.
ACTS 2:37-38
:Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
:Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized 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.
EVIDENCE OF REPENTANCE IN A CHRISTIANS LIFE
a. A repented soul will have Godly sorrow for sin, he will hate anything sinful or anything that lead to sin.
b. A repented soul will show and have interest in the things of God, always having concern in the work of God.
c. People will notice him as a light; his aptitude and utterance will portray the life of Jesus Christ.
d. He/she exhibits God's love, he is not self-centered always having concern for others. You must put God first.
HOW IS REPENTANCE A GATEWAY FOR EVANGELISM?
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Jesus Christ the greatest evangelist from creation and in the history of man stressed on the need for man to repent before he can get salvation, for the Bible says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; meaning no man is worthy before God except by repentance and be in union with God.
So, brethren Christian must know it now that whatever message you preach today without repentance in you as a preacher all your messages are unacceptable to God, because when you as a preacher have the fruits of repentance coming out of you, your listeners will see the light of God coming out of you through the word you are preaching and strive to act upon the word; so, it is on note that both the preacher and the listeners, if you prophesy, speak in tongues, dream dreams and you are in sin without repentance, you are wasting your time and just preparing yourself to eternal condemnation. Preacher of the gospel must repent and be Godly before his message can bear fruit and be acceptable to God.
ACTS 3:19
:Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
IS REPENTANCE A COMMANDMENT FROM GOD?
The simple answer is "YES" repentance is a universal commandment God gave to all men no matter your race or denomination, your age or your position, you need repentance for the Bible says for is not a respecter of any man,and that any man that sinneth shall be judged.
ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14
:Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
:For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
WHAT IS SALVATION?
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Salvation can be said to be a definite experience characterized by an unusual love for God; love for the people of God, the word of God and love for one another. This experience is known and shown by personal decision to change one's past life style that is to repent from all known sins and have personal encounter with Jesus Christ and receive him as your personal Lord and Savior. The decisions that brings this kind of experience of salvation is definite because it leads and change your personality and aptitude in doing things through the word of God which gives the assurance of eternal life to those who are saved by it. God said, "if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he had committed, and keep all my commandment, and do that which is lawful and right, he will live" this promise and assurance of salvation for all repentant souls was also declared by Christ on the cross when he said "it is finished "meaning the price of redemption has been fully paid, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all sinners can call upon God in repentance and receive forgiveness.HOW CAN A SINNER MAKE PEACE WITH GOD?
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For sinners to make peace with God, is by total repentance and the grace of God will be made available.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
:For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
:Not of works, lest any man should boast.
HOW CAN ONE KNOW HE IS NOW A CHILD OF GOD?
When one is fully repented he will be led by the spirit of God, through the word of God indwelling in him, he will be bold without fear and he will know and understand the things of God.
1 JOHN 1:9
:If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
HOW CAN A NEW CONVERT BE ASSURED OF HIS CONTINUED SALVATION?
A new convert can only be assured of his continued salvation through the brotherly love he received and continue fervent prayer with the study of the word of God.HOW CAN YOU ASSIST A SEEKER TO REPENT AND GET SALVATION?
Showing agape kind of love to those seeking repentance by giving them the word of God, assisting them in prayers and helping them in material need and encourage them to be steadfast, in that you have saved a soul.
Believe God and act on his word which giveth life and you shall have salvation.