Page 41 - GRACE

GRACE, Exploring Its Riches

Jesus Christ required repentance from everyone who came
to His salvation. It is the primary goal of His gospel message
(Matthew 4:16-17). His disciples and apostles of the early
Church preached it and no one worthy of the ministry of
Christ’s Kingdom can do otherwise. His clear charge to all
of us unambiguously stated in His last words before His
ascension into heaven was:

“And that repentance and remission of sins should
be preached in His name to all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).

iii. Repentance as Entry Point into the Operations
of Grace
Without repentance a man cannot fully appropriate the
workings of grace. Until then, the tendency will always be
there to frustrate the grace of God. Fruit-bearing, as a
manifestation of grace, is only possible after one had
repented. You must have noticed that sequence in the
charge that John the Baptist gave to the multitude who came
to his baptism in Matthew 3:1-2, 8.

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in
the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent,” for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand! ...Therefore
bear fruits worthy of repentance.”

The same emphasis we see Jesus make in Matthew 4:17.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

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