Gospel

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None were so religious in our Lord's day as the Scribes and Pharisee who read their Bibles (the Old Testament scriptures) and prayed often in the temples and streets but did not follow Jesus and so perished in their sins for rejecting the Prince of Peace.

How surprised must people be today when because of their religious activities they think themselves in favor with God. Upon a closer examination they might discover within them a Pharasaical spirit full of religious activity such as reading their Bibles and praying but with a hard heart that delights in sin. Such people are in continual rebellion against their Creator. This can take place all through their life as they call themselves Christians but in so doing they show themselves false converts and so take the name of the Lord in vain and flatter themselves that they are saved.

Forgiveness of sins is obtained only after there has been an evangelical repentance unto God Acts 5:31 "Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."

(Two things happen simultaneously at regeneration 1. Repentance from the Greek word Metanoia= change of mind which results in turning from your sins and 2. faith=believing on the Lord Jesus Christ which means obeying Jesus and doing His will) Repentance and faith must always be preached together and while they are not the same thing they go hand in hand like a hand in glove.

NOTE: Beware of a mere legal repentance. There is an evangelical repentance and there is also a legal repentance.

Legal repentance comes about wholly through fear of the consequences of sin. This is the kind Judas experienced. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2 Cor. 7:10

Evangelical repentance is accompanied by godly sorrow and is wrought in the heart by the regenerating Spirit of God. Godly sorrow enters into repentance. When one sees himself as he appears before God he is brought to regret his sin and to abhor it. This is the emotional element in repentance. Sin Abandoned—Conversion.
Repentance is not complete until there is an inward abandoning of sin which leads to an outward change of conduct. In this sense a child of God is always repenting as they discover God's will for their lifes.

Men perish and go to hell because they don't have repentance and faith. Lost sinners until they are made a new creation in Christ, are natural creatures, fleshly and carnal because they have not the Spirit of Christ and so can not please the Lord. not born again by the Holy Spirit. They love their sins. They love this world which 1 John 2:15 forbids and they hate Jesus.

Christians do the will of God, however this doing is not an ability that is naturally within man but is a gift of God as the New Birth or regeneration takes place. This second birth of the Spirit empowers the disciple to walk with Jesus, His Lord and Savior, in full agreement more and more as sanctification progresses In that life.

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