Repentance and Faith

we have heard so many times about God's love, about what Jesus has done for us, about the relationship initiated by God with us. If God has done all these things for us, it is time for us to respond.

1. Repent and believe in Jesus (MK 1:14-15)

•  Repentance is not dependent on feelings but rather it depends on an objective desision to accept only God's righteousness into one's life and reject anything not compatible with this. We should not confuse with sorrow for sin because we are afraid of the consequences. We must hate sin itself and actively turn away from sin and decide not to do it again. Don't expect to be able to change all by yourself. Ask God's forgiveness. 1Jn 1:9
• Repentance is not just a simple confession of wrongdoing. Rather, it refers to a change in direction and a change of mind. It is a significant change in the way I live my life. It affects the way I think and act, my attitudes, motives, though and behavior. It means to reform my live, believe in the gospel, i.e., have faith in Jesus alone and the message he brings. It is turning to a life of total obedience to God and having Jesus on the throne of my life.
• Repentance and faith go together. It is a double-action response. We cannot just have one without the other. To just reform our lives is an inadequate response to God. We need to believe in Jesus and in His plans and promises. To simply believe without doing anything to reform our lives to become pleasing to God is also inadequate. Faith necessarily needs to be connected to morality. In other words, faith without works is dead.
• Bible references.
• Rev. 3:20 it is an individual act. We need to decide on our own and must open the door for Jesus to come into our lives.
• Mt 14:25-29) it is an indispensable and deliberate act. It is a step needed to receive all God has promised. The future is uncertain and time is passing away. So it is an urgent act.
• Acts 16:31 a promise of salvation, from sin, Satan, death and a promise of forgiveness and eternal life with God.
• Lk 11:19-13 a promise of new life in the Spirit.

2000 years ago, Jesus sounded the call to repentance and faith. It is the same call to us today as we observe lent season. Let us take  the challenge to repent and believe in Jesus. Then take God upon His pomises, and expect to experience the peace and joy and power of the Lord in our lives.


MCCM desk
Philipkhaipu