Too many in the modern church refuse to teach and preach about sin and repentance. “We don’t teach condemnation, only grace” they may say. Those that follow this prescription are teaching only part of the Bible and are in serious error.
“But Dan, God is our Daddy, he doesn’t want any of us to perish, and all things work together for good, it’s in the word, you should know that!” they exclaim.
I hate to break it to you but I must. The first requirement to being born again and truly receiving Christ as Savior and LORD is to repent. This concept in not only in the word but also in context without conflict with other scriptures:
Acts 3:19-20
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, NIV
Acts 20:21
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. NIV
Grace abusers do not like this but the above verses are examples of repentance being a prerequisite to being saved. Repent and have faith, repent and turn to GOD, another verse states “Repent and be Baptized”(Acts 2:38). Repentance is the turning away from sin without regret for leaving it behind.
One who is truly born again repents, i.e. turns away from their sins and the difference in their lives will be noticeable. This does not mean we will be perfect, we all sin but the general move should be forward, away from sin, and not looking back. Those who do not repent are headed for judgement. NO you say? Then how do you explain away this:
ACTS 2: 3-5
“3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
I implore everybody to not exclude repentance, judgment, or faith from your teaching in lieu of grace. Remember that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2: 8-9), that you can’t have one without the other and neither without repentance.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
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