Last time I wrote to you about faith. Now, it's on to the next topic, repentance. Except that what I have to say about repentance deeply affects the whole idea of faith. It's just a fact that the kind of faith that God accepts is impossible without repentance.
First, a little review. Repentance is simply being honest with God. You have sinned. You have, in some way or other, rejected God's Law for your life. Repentance is honestly admitting that, no excuses and no minimizing. Also, by repenting you are also saying that it is your desire not to repeat that sin in the future but rather to choose to obey God's way of living.
Repentance isn't complicated. But it is very important. And it is important because repentance is the flip side of faith. If faith is turning to Jesus then repentance is turning away from sin. And you cannot do the one without doing the other. Faith without repentance is no faith, or at least not the kind of faith that God is looking for. It just won't work. To have a faith that connects with Jesus, a person must also have an honest repentance. This is something that you will need to make clear to anyone interested in Jesus so that he or she can have a real faith in Jesus and actually become a Christian.
Now, there's another reason to make this clear. This idea about the importance of repentance sets the tone of that person's walk with Jesus. Following Jesus isn't just about enjoying His love, though it is definitely that. It is also about working hard at turning away from sin. And one reason we do that hard work is so that we can enjoy more of His love. There are, sadly, so many Christians these days who are struggling with what it means to follow Jesus because they don't understand that a lively walk with Jesus requires both faith and repentance. Too many are coming into the Church only hearing about faith. They need to hear about repentance also.
So, as you have the opportunity to explain the Gospel to people, be sure to include a clear explanation of the significance of repentance.