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Kingdom Opportunity 

“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14

May our LORD bless each of us to be cultivated in a heart filled with sincere and true worship and thanksgiving to Him.

“…freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8

We should understand that we have freely received the salvation of our God in Christ and that those who don’t give out of the mercy, forgiveness, love, supply that He has given us, are not in God’s will. Out of what God gives us we give out and this clearly proves we have given ourselves to the LORD. We are not still serving the false god of self and therefore mammon (Matthew 6:19-24). When Jesus spoke of giving and it will given back to us, He’s speaking of all these things and not just giving out of the monies God has prospered us with (Luke 6:38).

Are we living content or covetous?

Are we losing our lives in this fleeting world as the LORD instructed? (Matthew 10:39)

Are we chasing what we don’t have or cherishing what we do have and giving out of our supply from the LORD?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10

What’s the purpose? What is our giving to be used for?

  1. To feed the poor saints (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
  2. To supply the called out elders of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc.).

Stewarding the Temporal Treasure He Allows into our Hands in this Brief Life

Like the widow with a mere 2 mites (equals less than a penny), each of us has something to give.

Each of us are accountable before our God for what He’s given us.  When God increases us financially, it’s not to expand our own portfolio but rather our giving – to lay up treasure in Heaven, not on earth, just as Jesus instructed (Matthew 6:19-24). Read Christ’s severe warning on this in Luke 12. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48)

Let us rid our minds of the “somebody else will do it” notion. May we give our of what our LORD has given us and we know He gave His all – His only begotten Son for our sins.

Speaking of using what God has ALREADY given us for His glory, Charles Pray writes:

“Some have not received the Blessings of God just because they haven’t given out the blessings of God to all those around them daily!” Charles Pray

Sent this out on social media recently:

“It is MORE blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

When we look around us at what is counted important, coveted, and lusted after, this seems to proves that so many are consummately in love with the god of self, unrepentant, and refuse to give up their lives in this present world for the One they claim saved them – just as it was in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:36-51).

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

God looks at 2 things concerning giving – and yes HE is watching you:

1. Your heart posture 2 Corinthians 9:7, and
2. The % of what you give as opposed to what you keep for yourself (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 16:19-31)

If we lack giving to the needy in Christ and the ministry of Christ in our day, what does that reveal? (Matthew 25:40-46)

Talk is cheap (1 John 3:18; James 2:18; Titus 1:16; Matthew 7:21). Repentance is real. It always, with no exception, brings forth the fruit of a changed life (Matthew 3:7-10).

The LORD commanded and fully expects you to obey Him (John 14:15; 15:14).

Will we say …

“Dear child of God, I know you have a need but I’ve got things more important than you and Jesus. Dear servant of Jesus, quit feeding Christ’s sheep as He sent you to do! Be yet another Gospel laborer who leaves his God-ordained post! We are going to continue to help the enemy of Christ attack His work and workers by making sure Jesus’ Gospel labourers are grossly under-supported!!!”

Or, will you declare ….

“Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I am going to love, worship, and serve You supremely and not myself. Thank You LORD for the resources You’re putting into my hands. I will obey You and take of them and bless your people who are in need and Your workers, Your work, the Gospel of Christ!”

Shall we step up and make sure the people and work of the One we claim to serve is fully cared for and supported?

Are we not being tested by the One who gave all? Is He not the One who gave us all we currently have? What shall we do with Him and what He’s given? Does He not own all? Will He has already given not fill us up again and again and again?

The following is a richly telling, revealing passage. Please allow your brother in Christ to exhort you to get to know this well….

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 

Among other things here in this 4 verse passage, we see …

  1. That Jesus went out to the people and taught them, preached to them His gospel and demonstrated it by healing them, making them whole (v35).
  2. Our LORD was “moved with compassion on them”, seeing they had no Savior (v36).
  3. Then Jesus tells us of the great harvest that awaits us, that is all around us! (v37)
  4. The passage closes with Christ’s instruction for us, His people, to pray that the “LORD of the harvest … will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (v38)

Are we praying for our LORD’s labourers to be sent forth? Are you participating also by supplying them?

What’s the purpose? What is our giving to be used for?

  1. To feed the poor saints (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).
  2. To supply the called out elders of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc.).

The LORD clearly established that those who do His work, the infinitely most important and only eternal work in the earth, are entitled to be paid and those fed by them are privileged to assist in supplying such. And He also establishes that He will bless them now and forever for doing so (Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.). 

Dollar Dialogue

What shall we say to Him on that day?

Oh, and don’t feel sorry for those who’ve answered the call of god to minister to his people. No, you may wish to pity those Christ-professors who are fed by the ministry of Christ and yet refuse to bother to ever give even a token tip to the LORD’s work. Fear for their souls because the One who gave them all they have is watching how they spend every penny of it.

More on the Biblical Topic of Giving

Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Stewardship | Where to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar Dialogue | Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom! | Waste | Stewardship | Giving

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Abiding

Sin is Rooted in the Hearts of Men [podcast]


“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Jesus taught us that man’s sin comes out of his “desperately wicked” heart (Jeremiah 17:9).

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23

Mankind’s core dilemma is sin (Romans 1-3). Jesus Christ came and died to “save his people from their sins,“ to “taketh away the sin of the world,“ and not to merely deal with fallen man on a surface level as on a mental level (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29). God doesn’t band aid broken things, He heals and makes them whole to the root because the root determines the fruit (Matthew 12:33; Luke 4:18, etc.). Christ’s salvation is perfect. Evil is in our hearts and proceeds forth from that wicked heart until Christ regenerates us (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3, 7; Titus 3:5-7). This is why the sinner must of divine necessity be born again, must be made completely new “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5-7). Then and not before then, the born again saint of Christ is made a  “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

The Truth about Fallen Mankind – That Includes You!

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5

“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:12

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

Is Romans 7 Before or After Paul’s Salvation?

Don’t trust yourself, trust God and deny self! “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Proverbs 26:28).

Only Satan and his children live by the diabolical edict of “be true to yourself.” Knowing how wretched they are of themselves, without Christ, those who are known of God live by “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

People don’t have a “mental health” problem, they have a SIN problem and sin is what gives way, gives full access to Satan!

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

“The state of continual sanctification, that life of purity and detachment from the world and all it’s lusts, without which detachment and sanctity no man shall see the Lord-shall never enjoy His presence in the world of blessedness. To see God, in the Hebrew phrase, is to enjoy Him; and without holiness of heart and life this is impossible. No soul can be fit for heaven that has not suitable dispositions for the place.” Adam Clark’s commentary on Holiness. Hebrews 12:14

YOUR PRAYER FOR A PURE HEART: Holy Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus, desiring to be pure in heart so that I may see, enjoy, and be with You. Help me please dear LORD. Purify my heart and life of all wicked imaginations and iniquity that defile me in Your holy eyes. Please purify and cleanse me LORD and I know You require me to purify myself and to obey You. In Jesus’ name, please forgive all my sins by Thy precious blood dear LORD Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Light of the World | Evangelism | Jesus, Light of the Word | Compassion in Light of Christ’s Soon Return | Striving Together for the Faith of the Gospel [podcast] | Prepared to be Used of God | The Return of Christ

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The Essential Doctrine of Repentance – If he’s not preaching repentance, he’s false. Read that again. Run.

The Biblical Statement on the Essential Doctrine and Necessity of Repentance – in Life and in the Dispensing of the Original Gospel Message.

Firstly, we should understand that God’s command for us to repent means “turn to Me.” The LORD calls us to Himself.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Regrettably, we seldom hear this word, this Gospel essential. Though nearly never heard in today’s apostate modern church world, according to Christ’s unchanging original Gospel, repentance is an absolute imperative.

Karen Cochran observes:

“It doesn’t seem the word repent is part of the Christian’s vocabulary! In the modern church, it’s all about God accepting you the way you are without any requirements to repent and die to self.”

Note that in modern churches, “Christian” radio, media, books, the word “repent” is rarely if ever heard. Yet Jesus says that repenting is essential to salvation (Luke 13:3, 5, etc.).

The words “repent” and “repentance” appear 72 times in God’s Word – the King James Bible.

God will not forgive the sins of anyone who doesn’t repent – even if they confess their sins every day of their life!  

Any “preacher” not preaching repentance is not preaching the original Gospel and is absolutely a fraud! Now, let that sink in and see if you can count the number of “pastors” NOT preaching the first Word of the Gospel – repentance! Get out the calculator! Better yet, count those who ARE preaching repentance and you won’t get to your second hand!

The Essential Doctrine of Repentance has Never been more Needed and Yet has Never been more Scarce!

No person who doesn’t repent will be saved. To deny the need, the absolute necessity of repentance is to deny the LORD who is “Holy, holy, holy” and to deny sin (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)!

DO WE know the original Gospel message? Where does the relationship begin – between fallen man and God? What is the first divine command for sinners to appropriate the justification of God? Repentance is essential (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38, etc.) Does your pastor use this word, YES THIS BIBLE WORD – “repent”? No, not some modernized, toned down, lame word but the literal word “repent”?

ALL who are living in sin
are on a collision course
with divine justice.
Hell awaits.

COMMUNICATING THE ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE OF REPENTANCE

Let it not drop. In fact this divine command (Acts 17:30) – to “repent” – is nearly if not completely missing from the apostate modern church world and the counterfeits therein. They preach a false gospel because the original Gospel requires repentance to be saved (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21, etc.). Let it not be! Be true to the LORD and preach it.

If Jesus isn’t important enough to you to seek and obey, you do not love Him (John 14:15). You have rejected Him and all your cover up operation is a silly sham that He sees right through. Going to church, reading God’s Word, running through a canned prayer before bedtime or each morning, etc., will never replace getting honest in repentance with the LORD. He will accept nothing short of repentance and laying your life at His holy feet (Ezekiel 18:30; Hosea 10:12). This is called true repentance, something most who claim to be saved have never done (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19, etc.). They said a prayer. They didn’t repent and Jesus says “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

God absolutely requires “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” to save a soul (Acts 20:21). Yet HE is the Savior, not us. WHY did Jesus ever have to come if we could save ourselves? When or if we are emphasizing our own repentance more than the sheer mercy of God in Christ who alone saved our most depraved, wicked souls, we are imbalanced at best. Pour over the words of Titus 3:5-7.

“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21

“Mark 1:15

and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Repent ye, and believe the gospel. These words may be regarded as a summary of the method of salvation. Repentance and faith are the conditions of admission into the Christian covenant. Repentance has a special reference to God the Father, and faith, to Jesus Christ the eternal Son. It is in the gospel that Christ is revealed to us as a Saviour; and therefore we find Jesus Christ, as the object of our faith, distinguished from the Father as the object of our repentance. Repentance of itself is not sufficient—it makes no satisfaction for the Law which we have broken; and hence, over and above repentance, there is required from us faith in the Gospel, wherein Christ is revealed to us as a propitiation for sin, and as the only way of reconciliation with the Father. Without faith repentance becomes despair, and without repentance faith becomes only presumption. Join the two together, and the faithful soul is borne onwards, like a well-balanced vessel, to the haven where it would be.” Pulpit Commentary

In God’s Word, in the Early Church, “REPENT” is repeatedly seen as the very first word, command of the Gospel.

John the Baptist

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2

Jesus

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

Peter

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38  

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19

Christ’s Apostle Paul

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30

No one will be saved without repenting (Luke 13:3, 5, etc.). AFFIRMATION without salvation, regeneration, is rampant in today’s apostate modern church world. Beware.

One is hard pressed to hear any modern pastor use the word and essential divine command to “repent.” This was foretold for these final days in which we live. Any man not preaching the essential biblical doctrine of repentance, not using the Bible word “repent,” is preaching “another gospel” and is an “accursed” wolf with no exception (Galatians 1:6-9)! Run. If you sit under, if you patronize any preacher who isn’t regularly using the divine essential command to “repent,” you are as deceived and hell bound as this vile antichrist you are bidding Godspeed to (2 John 10-11).

Any preacher not preaching repentance is not preaching the original Gospel and is “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). He’s a wolf! Run.

God NEITHER forgives nor blesses any man who doesn’t first repent.

IF he’s not preaching repentance and remission of sins he’s a fraud! No excuse! “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).

ALL who don’t preach repentance are not preaching the original Gospel of Jesus! This fact clears out 90% of the cowards many call “pastor” in this late hour!  

ARE YOU preaching the absolute Gospel essential of repentance beloved of God? Jesus commanded that we do just that.

Beware of the devils who are running around saying that repentance is not needed to be in Christ’s kingdom. They are using the thief on the cross to “prove” their point. Is this conclusive and true?

ANY “MINISTRY” NOT PREACHING REPENTANCE IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE!

It’s laughable and lame that these heretics use the thief on the cross to say that there’s no need for repentance. Unreal. Scripture must be interpreted with Scripture. Jesus says it’s essential to “repent” or one will “perish” (go to Hell). See Luke 13:3, 5. And, the thief on the cross who turned to Jesus (that’s what repentance is defined as!) in his last moments is in glory according to Christ. So, we conclude that Jesus, who knows all things, saw repentance in that man! Bam. Cased closed! Devil exposed.

Repentance:  The Essential that Beguiling Wolves Refuse to Preach

WHAT’s the very first word/command of the original Gospel saints? Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19, etc.). Are you ready to “give an answer to every man”?

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Repentance is a reversal of the direction of one’s life, a full turning to God, away from self. It must be preached as it was the very first word, divine command that proceeded from the mouths of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), Jesus (Matthew 4:17), and the apostles (Acts 2:38, 3:19, etc.). Jesus said it is essential (Luke 13:3, 5).

Let’s consider….. Some seem to speak of repentance as merely turning from sin. Is that a complete view? Is repentance more of turning from sin or turning to God? What’s most important? Obviously both are vital and yet, let’s think about how Jesus says “Come unto me…” and “I will draw all men unto me” (Matthew 11:28-30; John 12:32). Coming to God initially and ongoing seems to be a conviction by the Holy Spirit and Law convicting and drawing us to HIM and therefore departing from sin from which we are delivered by His power and grace as we come to Him. First and foremost it seems that true repentance is turning TO God and therefore away from sin, that which displeases Him.

IF you aren’t preaching REPENTANCE you are preaching a false gospel! Repent!

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31 

Repentance – Greek: Metaneo/metanoia …. definition from Greek Dictionary – (subject) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal ….

Repentance means a change of mind, turning fully to the LORD, doing a 180, and fully giving ourselves over to Him. When we do, all of us will be His and all we have will be His. If these fruits of being totally abandoned to Him are not resident, the individual has not truly repented – laid down their life. Repentance is a gift as is every good and perfect gift (2 Timothy 2:25; James 1:17).

  • If you truly want refreshing, you will receive such when you come to Jesus in true repentance. Read Acts 3:19.
  • Confessing sin is NOT repenting. There’s a difference. Admitting your sin and poverty of spirit in surrender before the LORD.
  • YOU can confess till you die and will go to Hell if you haven’t truly repented. Repentance is surrender, turning to the LORD from where you are.

Confession of sin is ONLY for those who’ve repented and have a relationship with God. Catholics confess their sins to a sinner wearing a costume but will never be forgiven unless they repent and receive Christ. Jesus says that “Except ye repent (not confess sin) ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Yes confession of sin is a blessing but reserved exclusively for those who are born again and presently in relationship with Christ.

ANY man pretending to represent Christ who is not preaching repentance on a regular basis is a wolf!

There is the initial and ongoing need for repentance. It’s the divine requirement for one to enter God’s kingdom and should be practiced by all believers as needed, ever turning to the LORD fully. No forgiveness of sins is granted outside of it.

Concerning repentance, Geerhardus Vos writes:

“Our Lord’s idea of repentance is as profound and comprehensive as His conception of righteousness. Of the three words that are used in the Greek Gospels to describe the process, one emphasizes the emotional element of regret, sorrow over the past evil course of life, metamelomai; Matt. 12:29-32; a second expresses reversal of the entire mental attitude, metanoeo, Matt. 12:41, Luke 11:32; 15:7, 10; the third denotes a change in the direction of life, one goal being substituted for another, epistrephomai; Matt. 13:15 (and parallels); Luke 17;4, 22:32. Repentance is not limited to any single faculty of the mind: it engages the entire man, intellect, will and affections… Again, in the new life which follows repentance the absolute supremacy of God is the controlling principle. He who repents turns away from the service of mammon and self to the service of God.” (Geerhardus Vos, The Kingdom of God and the Church, P&R, 1972, p. 92-93)

Sadly, the vast majority of modern “pastors” are seminary indoctrinated, Vatican corrupted and use Catholic “bibles” which have removed the word/doctrine repent, repentance. For example, the NKJV removed repent over 40 times! The great falling away! Corrupt Bible Versions

IS IT any wonder repentance is seldom heard? WHEN you realize that the “pastors” we have in the pulpits today are Vatican trained by Jesuit infiltrated seminaries which falsely promote the Catholic “bibles” these pastors now read and get their message from. And, the people they preach to are reading those Vatican “bibles” and so don’t know repentance is an essential, vital biblical doctrine. They have no excuse! King James Bible readers are much sharper, more astute Bible students due to reading the real, preserved Word of our God (Psalms 12:6-7).

Beware of the Vatican Trained Seminarians!

True repentance, when someone truly turns their whole being over to the LORD, without fail, brings a regenerated, a changed life and new lifestyle – a holy life. Refreshing, a clean heart, a clear conscious ensues.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Matthew 3:7-8

Preaching the essential of repentance eliminates easy believism. Anyone preaching a “salvation” without the necessity of real repentance that brings forth fruit, clear proof of that repentance, is preaching a false gospel (Matthew 3:7-10).

“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin

“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Luke 3:9

To “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” means to show you have repented by doing God’s work now consistent with your true repentance.

Did you notice what Jesus promised in verse 9? – “every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire”?

1 John 3:18 says “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

As usual, as Bible students, we should understand that the actual Scriptures themselves are the best and ultimate definition of any topic. Consider Jesus’ words here…

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27

The Savior and His blessed salvation does not come into a person’s life until they repent.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3, 5

Could Jesus have been any plainer? Do you now see that true repentance, as from God’s definition, is essential? No one can be saved if they refuse to acknowledge their sin before a holy God and Judge and turn their lives over to Him unreservedly.

The Very First Word of the True Gospel

“REPENT” is the very first Word/divine command of the original Gospel – Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 20:21 etc. ANY man who isn’t constantly teaching and calling men to repent is a vile antichrist Hell bound wolf.

The true Gospel begins with the command to repent doesn’t it? – per John the Baptist, Christ, and Peter the apostle (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30).

“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 3:2

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

When the New Testament church was born, the LORD’s apostle Peter preached this which resulted in 3,000 souls being saved:

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:37-38

“Times of refreshing” come only from the LORD upon repentance.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19  

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30

Jesus commanded that repentance be preached and any minister, leader, or ministry not preaching “Repent,” is not fulfilling a New Testament purpose and is counterfeit (Luke 24:47).

“God … now commandeth ALLLLL men EVERY WHERE to repent” (Acts 17:30). Could it be more clear?

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30

Repenting means that your life is no longer your own anymore. It’s now all about God and not you, surrendering with nothing withheld to the LORD, falling upon His blessed mercy, broken, contrite, and given over to Him and His blessed Gospel.

To repent is necessary to receive salvation and true repentance always yields the fruit of a totally changed life – from the inside out. Even believing in Jesus in the easy believism manner so prevalently peddled in today’s apostate modern church world will not bring God’s regeneration/salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Titus 3:5-7). “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)

With these biblical truths in mind, let us realize that any “ministry” or leader, church, or preacher whose message does not begin with and constantly contain the necessity of repentance, if a false teacher/ministry. This is a major discernment nugget. Please nourish your heart and meditate upon this truth. Look closer at the ministries you may be currently espousing, and ask yourself if they are preaching that men must repent. Make no excuses for mere men. If they are not preaching the divine command to “repent,” that is a false ministry.

Also, to bring forth fruit proving there has been true heart repentance and regeneration should be preached (Matthew 3:7-8).

When Jesus brought salvation to the home of Zacchaeus, genuine repentance yielded restitution in the newly saved man’s life.

Luke 19

1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1-10 

Of repentance, A.W. Tozer wrote:

“Do a thorough job of repenting. Do not hurry to get it over with. Hasty repentance means shallow spiritual experience and lack of certainty in the whole life. Let godly sorrow do her healing work. Until we allow the consciousness of sin to wound us, we will never develop a fear of evil. It is our wretched habit of tolerating sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition.”

What True Disciples Preach and What Wolves Don’t Preach

In His Great Commission message, the Son of God commanded “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.” Here’s the whole verse:

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

So, is it becoming more clear in your understanding why repentance must be preached in obedience to Jesus? Is it more clear now that any and all ministries and leaders who do not preach repentance are wolves?

If one will begin to observe, he will find that the vast majority of leaders today, claiming to be representing Christ, do not preach repentance. These leaders who refuse to preach the original Gospel message which begins with the divine command to “Repent,” are utterly false. In fact, the Word of God says they are “accursed” for preaching “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9).

“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my counsel (if they had preached my Word), and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.” Jeremiah 23:21-22

It’s real simple: God is eternally perfect and therefore unchanging. His requirement for men to repent has not been changed one bit and yet, enterprising, self-serving wolves have “crept in unawares” or undetected by the gullible (Jude 3-4). They have ignored and dodged the hard truths which don’t serve their self-serving purpose to exploit enough people to build their own dreams upon, leading them to darkness and ultimately damnation. Their goal is not to please God at any cost but rather to create a large following – to build their own kingdom (Philippians 3:1-3; 2 Peter 2:1-3). So, they have eliminated the hard truths of the Gospel in order to church the un-churched for their own greedy purpose.

You see, the Bible is chock full of Scriptures speaking of God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness and iniquity. Yet, most preachers today refuse to acknowledge such. So, why repent? What’s there to repent of? This is no new thing as we saw in the passage above from Jeremiah. Now, look at what we read in Lamentations 2 concerning false leadership who refuse to preach on sin and the necessity of repentance:

“Thy prophets (false leaders) have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity (bondage from sin); but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment (they’ve entertained and exploited you for their own self-serving purposes).” Lamentation 2:14

The prophet Isaiah was told to reveal God’s view of sins to the people so they could repent and be rescued:

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1

If you are upset at those messengers that are obeying God by marking false prophet wolves today, this proves that you yourself are against the LORD and are His very enemy (Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3-4).

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

In the divine economy there is no way to justify such rebellion. Those who do not preach repentance regularly are not preaching the original Gospel and found to be beguilers on this fact alone (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19).

Repentance is a pillar doctrine of Holy Scripture. It’s named as one of the foundational, elementary, principle doctrines of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-3). It is a must to be “born again” and all true Heaven-bound disciples of Jesus who are on the narrow road that leads to life, are speaking this truth.

“Therefore leaving the principles (beginning, elementary truths) of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (maturity); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” Hebrews 6:1-2

Of the six principle or elementary doctrines of Christ, the very first one deals with “repentance.”

Repentance is not just confession of sin but rather is turning wholly to the LORD and therefore turning away from all sin (that which He says is sin and displeases Him).

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

The vast majority of modern so-called “evangelicals” don’t personally diligently study the Bible and therefore have no foundational knowledge and understanding of the doctrines of Holy Scripture. So, they are easy to mislead. So many modern “pastors” deceitfully mislead their gullible listeners to believe that Paul was only “the apostle of the grace of God.” These beguiling mis-leaders eliminate and ignore the essential biblical doctrines of repentance, denial of self, taking up the cross, and personal holiness that Paul taught. These things are purposely ignored and made to be an option but not eternally consequential to the soul. What is tragic is that these modern beguilers have misled a whole generation of people to believe they are saved and going to God’s holy Heaven and yet these people have never truly repented.

Of repentance, Brian Sirois notes:

“The Bible (KJV) plainly teaches that the church was COMMANDED to preach REPENTANCE as well as REMISSION OF SINS by GRACE through FAITH. Paul, whose example the church is COMMANDED to follow, preached REPENTANCE as well as GRACE (cf. Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30; Acts 24:25; Hebrews 9:27).

William Booth, the great Christian leader of a century ago, in one of his last major addresses said, ‘I fear the day will come when preachers will preach heaven without hell, and faith without repentance.’ The day that Booth feared would come, has come!”

Genuine, sincere repentance and faith are what God requires to bring a sinner into His kingdom and it doesn’t stop there. One must endure to the end of his earthly life, repenting if needed and continuing to trust Jesus Christ, staying upon the LORD, abiding in rich, vital union and fellowship with Him (Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 1 John 1:7-9; Revelation 2-3, etc.).

God bless us to repent and walk in the light as He is in the light so that the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse us and keep us clean (1 John 1:7). Also, the LORD empower each of us with His holy fear to obey Him in telling His original Gospel message which begins with repentance.

Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, I am here and now asking You to unite me in a truly abiding relationship with Yourself and Christ – as You define it. Graft me deeper into Thy bosom and Thy cross. Please save me now, wash away all my sins afresh in Your precious blood my LORD Jesus, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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Acquainted and Nourished [podcast]


“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 22:21

“nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine”

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

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