The Repentance and the Way to Live in Christ Jesus!

“Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit… For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” – Ezekiel 18:31-32 NIV

First of all, we have to know that we are sinners, since we are in this world. (Romans 5:12) Furthermore, most of us do not want to repent after they have sinned and done unrighteous deeds against God and to the people that are around us. However, the word of God declares: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) This means that God, our Creator (Genesis 1:27) is forgiving God as well. For this reason, repentance is necessary, even when we are following Jesus Christ, but especially to those of us who are starting to become followers of our Lord. Moreover, repentance is one of the ways to get everlasting life, since the word of God declares: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) Thus, instead, repentance is nomally viewed in shameful perspective, but we also can view it as in fortunate perspective. Furthermore, the word of God states:

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

                                                                                                                                  

Then he [Jesus Christ] called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple [follower] must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

Therefore, God, our Heavenly Father created the Bible for us through His word to help us to become the righteousness of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Thus, we have to mediate on what the word of God says, for it is the power of God that brings us salvation in Christ Jesus. (Romans 1:16-17; Philippians 1:27-29) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Moreove, God poured His Spirit into us to advocate us to do the will of God (John 14:15-17,26-27, Ezekiel 36:26-27) until the end of the age, so we can enter the eternal life. This is because Jesus Christ proclaims:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Hence, the word of God declares:

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. (Galatians 5:24-25)