Repentance. Too Harsh a Message?

My spirit is plagued by the thought that some people think the message of repentance is to too harsh a message—for this type of ministry, for that type of ministry, for any type of ministry. Jesus worked every type of ministry, from the religious folks, to the streets, to the demon-possessed, to the working class, you name it. In fact, John the Baptist, Jesus, all 12 disciples sent out 2x2, Peter and Paul all preached repentance in their ministries.

Repentance is too harsh a message? Isn’t that just what the enemy would have us all to believe? Without repentance there is no forgiveness and cleansing of sins. Without repentance there is no walking in the power of the Spirit. Without repentance we are separated from God because of our sins.

Repentance is too harsh a message? Did Jesus think so when He told the multitude it is better to cut off your hand or foot than to sin and go to hell? (Matt 5:30, Matt 18:8) People seem to have characterized Jesus as one who just went around hugging everyone into the kingdom. Um…hello! Have we read our Bibles? Jesus went around offending the masses. It wasn’t just the religious zealots He offended, which many choose to believe. At one point, He even offended His own followers—to the point that MANY of His disciples turned away from Him and followed Him no more. They said, “This is an hard saying, who can hear it?” (John 6:60) Did Jesus worry that the truth would be too hard for some? Absolutely not. In fact, He further pointed out to those that were offended, The flesh profits nothing (Jn 6:63). Jesus didn’t worry about offending people because He knew that there were those whose hearts had been prepared to receive the truth. We need to stop thinking it is us who are “winning” souls to the kingdom. Such arrogance! No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him (John 6:44, 6:65). It is God alone who opens hearts to receive Him, who opens ears to hear the truth. It is not our gentle words that woo people into “accepting” Jesus. This is a flesh-pleasing, numbers-counting mentality. True converts to Jesus Christ know they are wretched sinners who must repent of their sinful ways. Oh wait, but Jesus never preached “repent or perish” (as I’ve heard countless people tell me). Really? “…except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” So important that He said it twice…back to back (Lk 13:3, 5). What was the common message from Jesus to most of the seven churches in revelation? REPENT. Are we even reading the same Bibles?

Did Peter worry about being too harsh when he blatantly told the Jews: You killed the Prince of life, now repent? (Acts 3:16-19). Did Paul worry about being too harsh when he told the idolaters, God no longer winks at ignorance, now repent? (Acts 17:30). Why then are we a generation of Christians who fears that God’s truth is too harsh? Maybe if we’d stop worrying about making everybody feel OK about where they’re at, the rampage of sin and abomination would not be destroying this country. Maybe if we worried more about what God thought, then we would truly see families restored, bondages broken, freedom from oppression, miracles of lives TRULY changed to reflect the new creatures that we are in Christ Jesus. We would see disciples rise who know what holiness and humility are before the Lord, who know how to fight the spiritual battles with spiritual warfare, and how to stand firm in the Spirit of God until the end.

You know that repentance/repent is preached/written 42x in the New Testament. Why did Jesus come? Not why do we think He came, but why does HE say He came? To call the sinners to repentance (Matt 9:13, Mk 2:17, Lk 5:32). What does Jesus say should be preached to all nations? Repentance and remission of sins (Lk 24:47).

Some will tell you that addressing sin or pointing out the need for repentance is judgment or condemnation. That is foolishness. Don’t believe such a lie nor allow it to direct your path. If that is so, then Jesus judged and condemned everyone He preached to, for the Word tells us that from the start of His ministry, He preached repentance (Matt 4:17). This is love. That people can hear the truth and the truth can set them free.

People are going to be offended. That is the nature of the gospel. Jesus was killed for it; the disciples were beaten, cast away from society, murdered for it. Christians today are mocked, humiliated, tortured, and murdered for it. Either you are a true follower of Jesus Christ and accept that our place is not in accordance with this world or you are not. We don’t get to choose what truth is OK (or gentle enough to preach) and what isn’t. God’s word is God’s word.

So, the next time you go to share Jesus with someone and hesitate when the thought of repentance comes, remember exactly what it is you are denying: the very essence of the gospel message.