In their commendable enthusiasm to share their faith with others, many Christians neglect to share the whole Gospel in the process.
The missing ingredient that is left out or de-emphasized is the necessary, but often unpleasant, business of repentance.
They gladly talk about Christ and His death on the cross to settle the sin question for those who believe.
That is because it is very good news and pleasant to discuss. Trouble is, repentance is the other side of the same coin.
Getting the Gospel Right
In Acts 20:20-21, 24, the Apostle Paul wrote, “… how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was beneficial, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ … to testify … of the gospel of God’s grace.”
The late Believer’s Bible Commentary author Bill MacDonald wrote, “Without discrimination as to nationality or religious background, he (Paul) preached the necessity of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
“These are two fundamental elements of the Gospel. In every genuine case of conversion, there are both repentance and faith. They are the two sides of the gospel coin. Unless a person were duly repentant, saving faith would be impossible.
“On the other hand, repentance would be of no avail unless it was followed by faith in the Son of God. Repentance is an about-face by which the sinner acknowledges his lost condition and bows to God’s judgment as to his guilt. Faith is commitment of oneself to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
“Repentance must be present at the beginning of our walk with God, but it doesn’t end there.”
pastor David guzik
MacDonald added:
“In many New Testament passages, faith alone is stated to be the condition of salvation. However, faith presupposes repentance. How could a person accept Jesus Christ as Savior unless he realized that he needed a Savior? This realization, brought about by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit, is repentance.”
‘Easy-Believism’
In a previous Noozhawk article I wrote, “In the Greek of the New Testament, this is the word ‘metanoeo,’ which means ‘to think differently or afterward, i.e. reconsider.’ Literally, we are called to a new mind on the matter of what makes us tick and how we are intended to fit into God’s universe as he created it.
“Pastor David Guzik wrote:
“‘Repentance must be present at the beginning of our walk with God, but it doesn’t end there. We are to keep on repenting, as God shows us more and more to get right with Him. Today, think of how repentance can be an ongoing work in your life.’
“Repentance is as much an attitude as an action, calling for brokenness, surrender, transparency. The journey begins when we agree to live our lives dependent upon God, rather than independently from Him.
“Such a believer maintains a ‘holy self-despair,’ marked by reliance on God and a willingness to quickly ‘come clean’ when necessary, as described in Isaiah 30:14-16:
“‘In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.
But you were not willing,’
“The real ‘gotcha’ here is that it requires taking a good look in the mirror.”
Sin Is Soul Cancer
Years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer.
Now suppose my doctor started that alarming conversation by describing various treatments for cancer leaving out the part about me having it.
I would have thought, “why is he talking to me about this, why doesn’t he talk to someone with cancer?”
But, no, my doctor started the conversation by showing me his clipboard with lab results at the top, along with my name and at the bottom, “Diagnosis: Cancer.”
Boom! Now he had my attention. Those treatment options suddenly became life and death to me. It is the same with the Gospel.
Until you appreciate the spiritual peril you are in apart from Christ, you will never embrace Him, believe in Him in a saving way.
Just as I submitted to my doctor’s cancer treatments, not just giving lip service to my illness, I must place my faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, abandoning all other options.
As written in Acts 10:42-44: “All the prophets testify of Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.”
How About You?
Evangelist Oswald Chambers wrote:
“When God wants to show you what human nature is like apart from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He only does it when His Spirit is at work), you know there is no criminal who is half so bad in actuality as you know yourself to be in possibility.”
Do you see yourself this way?
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