“Repent! Turn from your wicked ways.” Images of a street corner preacher flicker across my mind. My wicked ways as a child involved telling a lie about sneaking a piece of candy. Or pinching my brother and sister. Or talking back to my parents. Hardly the stuff of dramatic “repent and believe” testimonies.
After I repented and believed as a child, I was baptized. Thus began my walk with the Lord. That initial “repent and believe” is the forever turning point in my life. The time Jesus saved me from my sin. He put His seal, the Holy Spirit, on my heart. I am His for eternity.
Early stages of growth
I still lost my temper and yelled at my siblings. Or tattle-taled with the best of them. And I lied about the silliest of things. I was growing physically and mentally and emotionally. And boy, did I have a lot of spiritual growing to do.
But I remember the day conviction sliced me to the core when I told a lie. I remember where I was. On the couch in our living room in Indonesia. We were resting, as was our typical practice in the tropical heat.
Heart heavy, I confessed my lie to the Lord. Then went in tears to my parents and confessed the lie to them. I don’t remember what it was. But I remember the weight of it.
This walk with Him involves a lifetime on earth of turning from temptation and sin. And responding to conviction with confession and repentance. Of believing He rescues me. And remembering I cannot walk this faith journey in my own strength, my own acting ability. I need to be filled daily with His Spirit.
Repent and believe in the good news!
My friend and I are meeting weekly as she begins her journey with the Lord. We frame this initial discipleship time with some basic studies of Scripture. “Seven Commands of Christ.”
First we discuss Jesus’s command to “Repent and believe in the good news!” (Mark 1:15).
He was starting His earthly ministry with an essential call to the kingdom of God. Later His followers would understand this more fully after His sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
“Had anyone ever said that before Jesus said it? ‘Repent’?” she asks.
Yes. The Old Testament is full of calls for people to turn from their idols, their wicked pursuits. And in the New Testament, John the Baptist prepares the way for the Lord. Street preacher. Not on a street corner, but in the wilderness. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).
The seal of our salvation
But repenting and believing in Jesus includes something more. We turn to Ephesians 1:13-14 for a description of the One who seals our salvation, the “down payment of our inheritance” as believers—the Holy Spirit. I share how He is our Counselor and Teacher. He convicts of sin and righteousness and judgment. And he equips and empowers us to walk with the Lord.
This is the reason for the hope within us. Alleluia.
What about you?
When did you first repent and believe? Have you shared the story of your salvation with someone recently?