Repentance and Forgiveness

"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations…” (Luke 24:46,47 NIV)

Here are some of the last words of Jesus recorded in Luke’s gospel. Repentance and forgiveness of sins go hand in hand. God does not leave us in our sorry state, but forgives our trespasses, hallelujah! Let it be known to all that repentance comes first, and we must not forget the need to preach it! The Good News is, that Christ died and rose again on the third day, the shedding of His precious blood for the remission of our sins! Good news for you and I. So we need to repent, and we will be forgiven! If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). I will leave you now with the first words of Jesus’ ministry, as recorded by Matthew,

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

photo by: Colin Gregory Palmer. Some rights reserved.