Mark 1:14-20
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came
into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he
saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they
were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I
will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and
followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw
James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending
the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they
left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
The Message is very simple, “repent
and believe.” What else needs to be
said? Do not know what “repent”
means? What about “believe”? Or maybe you want to me to explain what you
are supposed to repent of or believe in?
“Repent and Believe” Why? Because the Kingdom of God is getting
closer. The picture of the Kingdom of
God so far is a picture of Judgment and wrath.
Trust me there is a time of Judgment and it is getting closer. Do you want to find yourself standing before
the wrath of God?
“Repent and Believe” Why? Because
there is salvation apart from the works of the Law. This Kingdom is not out to get you, but comes
with Love and Mercy. God has sent his
son into the world not only to proclaim judgment, but to proclaim forgiveness.
You could even say, not only to proclaim forgiveness, but pay the actual price
you owe.
“Believe and Repent” What is
wrong? Just because you believe in Jesus
does not mean you stop being a sinner. “Continue to Believe and Continue to
Repent” because the Kingdom of God is at hand. Die to sin arise with Christ,
and abide with Christ.
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