We have no time for the prosperity Gospel or the watered down Gospel or the “my own interpretation” of the Gospel. The message of Jesus was very clear “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15). In the Gospel of Mark the first words out of Jesus’ mouth was “repent and believe” unfortunately in the times we live in, neither one of these statements seems to be relevant anymore. Repentance is a key to salvation because without it we cannot be reconciled with God. It is not enough just to say “God is merciful and he knows my sins he will forgive me” we know he is merciful; “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us” (Eph 2:4), but we must ask for his mercy. When we repent, it is then that God comes to us with his mercy and forgiveness and we are reconciled with him. Jesus calls for repentance (metanoia) which in greek means a change of heart, which can lead to a changed life in Jesus Christ. Repentance is very powerful in our lives because if we truly are sorry for our sins and really have a change of heart we can start a new beginning every time we go to confession.

“The Kingdom of God is at hand”, what does this mean to us? Many biblical scholars have often tried to understand what this statement means, it can be simplified to; Jesus is the kingdom! Repent and believe in the gospel (which is Jesus). In the Gospel of John he says “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him (3:36).”  No matter what is going on in your life Jesus is available to you at all times, he called his disciples two thousands years ago and he is calling us today to “repent and believe” in him and his Church. The flesh, the world, and the devil are telling us otherwise, but we know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We must proclaim repentance and the gospel to the whole world; “and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:47)”. Are you prepared to preach Jesus at all times and everywhere beginning in your own life?

REPENT AND BELIEVE!

Jeff Kassab

BA Pastoral Theology