The Gospel Part 2
The Gospel is a call to repentance.
John the Baptist announces the coming of the Messiah at the river Jordan preaching, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat 3:2)
Many who were convicted in their hearts came and confessed their sins and were baptised in the river Jordan, and turned their hearts unto the one that was to come, Jesus Christ the Lord.
This repentance has to be genuine both in word and in deed. It has to be followed up by actions, deeds and fruits suitable for repentance. As John the Baptist puts it, “Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance…… every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire”. (Matthew 3:8,10) BLB
The word repent (metanoeo in Greek) means to have afterthoughts about one’s actions which leads to a complete change of mind and a turning towards Christ. One is delivered from the kingdom of darkness and from the power of sin and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. Repentance brings evident transformation.
Repentance is different from remorse. Remorse causes one to feel sorry and condemned in one’s self but does not necessarily lead the person to a change of mind or to seek for forgiveness of their sins. Repentance is godly sorrow which leads to salvation, but remorse is worldly sorrow which leads to death.
“For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10) AMP
Our Lord Jesus prophesied that Peter would deny him, but he prayed for Peter and said these words to him, “But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32) NLT
On the contrary, Judas, after he betrayed the Son of God for 30 pieces of silver, did not find an opportunity for repentance. Although he felt sorry for what he had done, he did not turn to Christ and ask for forgiveness, he went and hanged himself.
True repentance brings evident transformation in the life of the believer.