The gospel, the everlasting gospel by which we may be saved
from sin, is a message of faith and repentance.
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the
kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” Mark 1:14-15
In Acts chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a
very powerful sermon. In Jerusalem were gathered a large majority of all the
Jews for the ceremony of Pentecost and these made up his audience. We learn,
through Peter’s sermon that these are the same Jews which crucified Jesus
(verse 36), just a month and a half before when they had gathered in Jerusalem
for the feast of the Passover. In his sermon, Peter makes a compelling argument
to the hearers in showing how the man whom they had crucified was none other
than the very Messiah for whom they had been longing and waiting for. They
killed the One who had come to save them.
And so we read: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked
in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:38
They were brought to the realisation that they we “foolish,
disobedient…hateful” (Titus 3:4), that Jesus, who could have (rightly) chosen
to destroy His murderers, still chose to die for their very sakes. They were
brought to the realisation of the love and mercy of God in not giving them what
they deserve and as a result they were pricked in the heart, they were “drawn”
to the Christ whom they despised just a few weeks back.
In response to their question, Peter’s response is a
response for all: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38. What Peter made clear to the
Jews, was that repentance was necessary for salvation and for the remission
(that is the putting away) of sin.
Repentance precedes remission of sin, but doesn’t
necessarily precede “coming”.
With that being said, this brings us to a very important
point to consider: that true repentance comes from God. In another occasion, standing
before the Sanhedrin, Peter says these words: “Him (Jesus) hath God exalted
with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to
Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31.
Repentance includes a sorrow for sin and turning away from
it, and it is required in order that one may receive pardon; but there is
nothing in man that is capable of leading Him to repentance. Jesus is the one
who was exalted for to give repentance to sinners. We could not even repent
except it were by, and only through Christ. Repentance, just as much as the
forgiveness of sin, is the gift of God. Thus,
even before the sinner has repented, he may respond to the drawing of God and
the call of Christ to come to Him just as he is, sinful, erring and weak. The
sinner must not wait to feel that he has repented, before he can thus come to
Christ; he may respond to the drawing of God who gives repentance and
forgiveness of sins, having been led to realise his need.
I love how one writer
puts in, stating “Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only
one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth
and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His
Spirit is moving upon our hearts." (1)
And how does God lead one to repent? It is through none else
than His mercy.
Paul states in Romans that “the goodness of God leadeth thee
to repentance.” (chapter 2:5b), and in the goodness of God is where we find His
mercy.
We may recall when God said to Moses that He would “make all
[His] goodness pass before [Moses],
and will proclaim the name of the LORD” (Exo. 33:19); in fulfilment of this
promise, when God did make His goodness pass before Moses, “The LORD passed by
before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious… keeping
mercy for thousands.” (Ex 34:6-7). When God made His goodness pass before
Moses, in His declaration was contained His mercy.
Thus we find the
relation between repentance and mercy. In contemplation of the mercy of God,
men are lead to be sorrowful for, and turn from, their iniquities. It is for
this reason that satan is ever trying to obstruct man’s view of God’s mercy,
but every impulse in the desire for God is an evidence of God’s drawing on the
heart in order to lead men to repentance.
Were it not for the
fact the God is merciful, we would not be lead to repentance. Thus, even at
this most crucial step of heartfelt sorrow for - and turning from – sin, mercy
is a very essential element.
1. White, E. Steps
to Christ
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