REPENT AND LIVE!

Praise the Lord everyone,

I want to write today about Repentance. You will see that God requires and commands men everywhere in all nations on this earth to Repent. This word when heard by many is offensive to their ears primarily because they want to hold on to their way and because they are totally blind to it's benefit. Let's look deeper at repentance.

Let's first look at a definition of repentance.
Strong's Definition; 3340 Metanoeo, lit, "to perceive afterwards" (meta, "after," implying "change" noeo, "to perceive"; nous, "the mind, the seat of moral reflection") in the NT the subject chiefly has reference to "repentance from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a TURNING TO GOD.

Repentance is not behavior modification by our own will. It is not just the relinquishing of destructive vices and habits, although repentance fruit will bear the elimination of these as well.
According to the Word before anyone can truly repent godly sorrow and conviction should be found in the inward heart of man.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, THEY WERE PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, and said unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethern, WHAT SHALL WE DO?
The definition of pricked (strong's 2660 katanusso, to pierce thoroughly, to agitate violently. Now isn't this what the word of God does when preached to people under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and SHARPER than any TWO-EDGED SWORD, PIERCING even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a DISCERNER of the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of the HEART.
Here we see that the word being preached is a vital ingredient in accomplishing repentance.
In 2 Cor. 7: 9 - 10 We witness GODLY SORROW in the saints at corinth.
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye SORROWED to REPENTANCE: for ye were made SORRY after a GODLY manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
For GODLY SORROW WORKETH REPENTANCE to SALVATION not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

In this verse Godly sorrow is distinctly different from worldly sorrow. When the people of this world are sorry for any public or private transgression they do it to please man and outward show, the end result of this sorrow is death. On the other hand when there is Godly sorrow it is done from the inward man and God sees (because God sees the heart and reins of man) it and accepts it, the fruit of this sorrow is salvation. There is rejoicing when people repent in heaven and on earth, this is why Apostle Paul was able to rejoice.

Another important factor that would lead mankind to repentance is the acknowledging of God's truth and His long-suffering and goodness. Let's look in the Word.

2 Tim. 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if GOD peradventure WILL GIVE THEM REPENTANCE to the ACKNOWLEDGING OF THE TRUTH.

2 Pet. 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but IS LONG-SUFFERING TO US-WARD, NOT WILLING that ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.

Rom. 2:4 Or despisest thou the RICHES of his GOODNESS and FORBEARANCE and LONG-SUFFERING; not knowing that THE GOODNESS of GOD LEADETH THEE TO REPENTANCE.
So we see that the Lord has so blessed us to be able to repent with his help called Mercy and Grace.

In the NT John the Baptist (not the denomination) baptized people to repentance. He was the fore runner of Jesus and was making a straight path.

Matt. 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying REPENT YE: for the KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.

When Jesus started to preach in Matt. 4:17 From that time Jesus BEGAN to PREACH, and to say, REPENT: for the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.

In the book of Acts the Apostle Peter's first message was concerning repentance as well.
ACTS. 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and be BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the REMISSION OF SINS, and YE SHALL RECEIVE the GIFT OF the HOLY GHOST.

I think we can start seeing the big picture here. Repentance is so vital if we are going to eat from the tree of life and live forever. It is the beginning of our relationship with God. Why do so many false preachers in this country and around the world continue to stifle people from the kingdom of God through their non-biblical methods of coming to Jesus. They are on the airwaves and television deceiving the masses with their lies. So many gullible and unlearned people in the scriptures following these hireling preachers. The Apostles were and are the truth.
Let me give you an example of one of the lying methods of coming to Jesus. "Repeat this sinners prayer" nowhere in the scriptures do we see God's true ministers tell anyone to repeat a sinners prayer. Sinners are instructed to REPENT first then be Baptized in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST (by complete immersion in water) for THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, and GOD PROMISES THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. John 1:12 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. In addition in Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive POWER, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be (not only sons but witnesses; not the non-biblical religion of Jehovah witnesses) witnesses unto me both in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the utter most part of the earth.
The other most popular method amongst these anti jesus ministers is "just believe and accept Jesus in your heart.
This again is not completely true. It is true that we must believe to come to jesus but when you believe you must REPENT.
I challenge this whole denominational system of non-biblical Christianity to STUDY the book of Acts and see clearly that they have the true method of conversion for those who gave their lives to God.

God is Commanding Repentance and always has from the days of the fall. We need to see this.
Acts 17:30 And the TIMES OF THIS IGNORANCE GOD winked at; but NOW COMMANDETH ALL MEN EVERYWHERE TO REPENT:

When someone truly Repents their will be fruit.
Matt.3:8 Bring forth therefore FRUITS MEET FOR REPENTANCE. This was preached to the Pharisees and Sadducees when they showed up for the baptisms of John the Baptist. John quickly discerned that they were insincere and he called them "O generation of vipers" and then he said that they needed to show they truly repented by the fruit they needed to bear.
Today it's the same situation all over again but a different generation of people who have created their own way of trying to serve God. They call themselves by every denomination in the book yet none of these denominations and religious organizations are found in the word of the living God. I say that God's word is true and every man a liar. In concluding for now I have to say what thus saids the Lord IF WE DON'T REPENT WE WILL PERISH as individuals, nation and world.
If you want to partake of the TREE OF LIFE Jesus has given us access and the flaming swords have been removed but only if we have obeyed the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember narrow is the way to Life and few there be which find it the Apostles knew the RIGHT way to follow Jesus then we need to follow their example. If not we will definitely be following the BROAD way which will lead people to eternal destruction.


Grace, Mercy, Peace, Eternal Life