We Must Repent And Do Something!
To repent is never an act in isolation by itself. Therefore, it’s never repent and it’s done. We must repent then do something else.
Consequently, I shall explore how easily we could repent and believe the gospel; repent and ask God, and repent and be baptized.
“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14).
As Jesus came into Galilee, he began to preach. He impressed upon its residents how easily they could believe the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Therefore, he said: “…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
Repent And Believe The Gospel
Jesus, by preaching in this manner, informs us that repentance is a prerequisite to believing the gospel of the kingdom of God.
He didn’t preach saying, believe the gospel. Neither did he instruct them saying, repent. Nevertheless, he taught them to repent and then believe the gospel.
Here, the
Our hearts can only receive from God if they turn to Him.
Our heart must first decide to cease from sins and turn to the Lord God before it would believe His Words; therefore, repent then believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Do You Need to Repent to Ask God for Something?
Similarly, long, long ago down in the City of Samaria, Apostle Peter preached a similar sermon. A sorcerer called Simon did the unthinkable.
He saw that when the apostles laid their hands on the people they received the Holy Ghost; therefore, he offered them money for the power (Acts 8:18).
“Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:19).
As you read it,
This is always the base reason for repentance; the state of our heart. Before repentance, the condition of our hearts is unacceptable to God. Therefore, if our heart is acceptable to God we don’t need repentance.
Peter Instructed Simon What to Do
Therefore, Apostle Peter told Simon to repent,
“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).
Again sequence is crucial to the result you desire. Simon the Sorcerer first had to repent then “pray God” or “ask God” for forgiveness.
He couldn’t have asked first and he couldn’t have only repented of his “wickedness”.
In another incident, Apostle Peter demonstrated again that repentance is an important criterion in heart-related matters of the Kingdom of God.
The residents of Jerusalem heard Apostle Peter preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. They were convicted of their sins. So much so that they wanted to know what was their next step.
Repent and Baptize
Again, Peter explained that sequence is supreme. According to the Word, he instructed them to “repent” and then to “be baptized” and .…
Listen to him for yourself:
“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” (Acts 2:38).
Conclusion
First Jesus pointed it out to us that repentance is a precondition for matters relating to the heart. Specifically, we must repent
Later, Apostle Peter taught us that in petitioning God for forgiveness repentance is also a prerequisite for asking; therefore, we repent then we ask God.
Finally, again Apostle Peter reiterated that repentance is a requirement for baptism. Therefore, he told us to repent then get baptize.
In each of these incidents, repentance is present. And where repentance is the heart is also.
Therefore, before the heart believes the Gospel it must turn to God. That means it repent then believe the Word.
Before we can approach God to ask anything of Him our heart must first turn to Him and then we could make our petitions. That is, repent and ask.
After you do this Act Believing is Easy
Consequently, water baptism is no different. Our hearts must first turn to Christ before we are buried with him in baptism. This is how we take on his name. So, repent then baptize.
What is it that you have been wanting to petition God about? It’s not by chance that you read this first because now you know how to make an effective request.
First, repent then you will realize how easy it is to believe God’s Words. Repent then ask the good Lord God for your desire. And because you believe your own words you shall receive it.
After you have repented it’s easy to believe because your heart has turned to God.
