“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(Matthew 4:17)

When Jesus commenced His earthly ministry, He preached the necessity of repentance. The Greek verb for repent (metanoeo) means to have a strong change of mind and is given in the imperative form, indicating a direct command. We were told earlier that John the Baptist preached, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2) as he was preparing the way for Christ’s ministry.

The newly resurrected Christ told His disciples “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Luke 24:47). Following this mandate, on the day of Pentecost Peter preached, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). Paul preached on Mars Hill to a crowd of Greeks, “[God] now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).

Clearly, repentance is an important part of the gospel message, combined with faith in the redemptive work of Christ. The 19th-century preacher J. C. Ryle said, “Repentance is the inseparable companion of saving faith in Christ.” Indeed, many today accept an easy believism in Christ without considering that it will cost them the rest of their lives. Jesus Himself elaborated on this, saying, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (Luke 14:27-28).

While some theologians have called repentance the “negative aspect of conversion,” the positive side is that our mighty God is able to grant “repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). JPT

Days of Praise Podcast is a podcast based on the Institute for Creation Research quarterly print devotional, Days of Praise. Start your day with devotional readings written by Dr. Henry Morris, Dr. Henry Morris III, Dr. John Morris, and others to strengthen and encourage you in your Christian faith.