The Greatest Doctrine in the Bible

I know that when it comes to Bible doctrines, there are so many to be taught and it is a never-ending learning process. However, the MAIN doctrine noticeable is the attitude of a repentant heart. So, let us see what the Bible says about repentance.

Repentance is the first term used by both John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) and Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus was the only Preacher Who ever criticised against religion, the only One Who criticised severely the self-righteosness doctrine before pharisees, elders, chief priests, et al. Simon Peter, at Pentecost, under the guidance of the Holy Ghost said “repent” (Acts 2:28). God commands all men worldwide to repent and believe the Gospel. People should stop doing the old, destructive habits in the eyes of the Lord and get right by yielding to themselves in a genuine manner: Repent! Repent! Repent!

Repentance shows not just a change in mind, but also in the heart of the believer. It is all about the HEART; a heart matter. Everybody can be eternally condemned simply by a mere change in mind, but when it comes to the HEART, things start changing. That is why God says,

Jeremiah 17:10, "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

"We don't need a pill or 'self help' surgery material. We need open heart surgery performed by God!" - Gregory Miller.

You REPENT in the HEART. That is why Paul in Acts 26:20 mentions repentance as part of the Gospel to the unsaved people,

Acts 26:20, "But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance."

Do not count on works; works do not justify us, but as a born again child of God, you want to follow the Lord and be His disciple: it is something inside you that keeps you working for the Lord with great appreciation and love towards God.

Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

So, if you are saved, there have to be some works, some good fruit meet for repentance.

Notice he does not mention to be saved by works, but if you truly repent the works follow.

Repentance is not penance, as new dictionaries and online sources claim, but it means that a person turns away from his/her old nature to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith, letting go of what they are, who they are and what they do, meekly seeking God with an attitude of devotion. Turning on the new “leaf” in the history of their existence isn’t repentance; thirsting for a new life in Christ is. A man’s life can match the image of a full cicle time clock.

“Just beat 24 hours, and it’s dead; and that’s the way life is: - teachable themes (1), tireless twenties (2), thriving thirties (3), fiery forties (4), final fifties (5), sickly sixties (6), slow seventies (7), eighteen eighties (8), shortening breath (9), death (10), The Son (11), God (12).” - Ruckman

The Bible teaches us to exercise the repentant attitude toward God, with faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith without repentance is dead; and both of them are necessary for salvation. You first repent, then you believe the Gospel. Repentance is that feeling of turning to God empty-handed when you realize what a great sinner you are, and that without Him you are dead. The moment you acknowledge that, and believe on Him, you are saved. Jesus said in John 14:1,

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

Repentance means both turning from and turning to: turning from sin and turning to God. People should not walk with their back on God and stop: this is conviction; but when they turn, they start moving toward God in light: this is conversion.

With lots of graceful love,

Denisa