The message of repentance often gets lost in the 1-2-3, a-b-c, easy as can be, altar call to salvation. The message both John and Jesus were preaching started with repentance. The last post mentioned this, but today’s will build on it.
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:1-2
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17
According to both Strong’s Concordance and HELPS Word Study, repentance describes a person who “thinks differently afterwards.” https://biblehub.com/greek/3340.htm
Both verses above verify that it is a requirement for entering the kingdom of heaven. While most evangelicals use the idea of admitting that one is a sinner as the first step of salvation, the word “admit” confesses that something is true (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/admit), but it does not fully convey the idea of repentance. Repentance does not just admit that God is the authority, His ways are best, every person falls short of His holiness, and there is no way to earn merit to satisfy sin’s wages. No, repentance is a heart change that exchanges the king who rules each heart for God alone. Look at Luke 3:3-14 to see how John described repentance in practical application. Verses 10-14 say,
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
What do you notice about these directions? All of them demand unselfishness. All of them prohibit the building of one’s personal kingdom. All of them require mercy for others, as God has shown mercy to them. All of them correlate with a new way of thinking.
Before you get uncomfortable thinking that I am promoting a works-based salvation, consider the Sermon on the Mount. Think about where each Beatitude leads. The first two Beatitudes begin with an inner heart stance; the third (Blessed are the meek) now turns to action. Meekness indicates a way of life that others can see.
Moses is described as the meekest man in all the earth. When faced with outright accusation from those whom he loved, he turned to God for what to do, rather than getting angry and measuring out his own verdict.
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) Numbers 12:3
After meekness, in Matthew’s list, comes a desire for righteousness, mercy, pureness of heart, peacemaking, and finally persecution because of obedience to God. Note how repentance completely changes how a person lives their life.
Once, a heart was ruled by self. It led to spiritual poverty and grief. But the message John and Jesus brought gave such a sinner hope. The self-run kingdom could be exchanged for the Kingdom of Heaven. Of course, such an offer meant giving up self-rule, but the new King promised His own Spirit to guide, give wisdom, to change the inner desires, and make the sinner just like the King, the more he yields to Him. (John 14:16,26, 15:26, 16:7).
Repentance, of course, cannot stop with the first step into the Kingdom, however. Jesus called the churches of Revelation to repentance in Revelation 2-3. 1 John 1:9 takes for granted a believer’s need for daily cleansing. This helps keep the believer off the throne of his own heart.
So, who is sitting on the throne of your heart today? Who is controlling you? The disciples struggled with the idea of greatness, and so do believers today. If we can just control our world, we too can live the easy life, gain servants to do our bidding, and indulge our every desire. And yet, that opposes everything Jesus called His followers to do. When He rules in our hearts, our desires become His, and we miraculously become more like Him. Bonus reward: we stop destroying ourselves and others while trying to control our own kingdoms. Truly, there is nothing to lose except the curse of ruling our own lives.
I pray that this study is a help and a blessing to you. Below is a link for the second study on the Sermon on the Mount. It has been eye-opening to me. Below that is a video that answers my questions to the first study. Please let me know if you are following along!
His Song in the Night 