The Repentance Enlistment

In the natural world, when a soldier joins an army, he must deny any previous allegiance he has had to another army or country. When you join the army of God, you must reject your allegiance to sin and the Kingdom of Satan. This is done by repentance.

Repentance is "an inward decision or change of mind resulting in the outward action of turning from sin to God and righteousness." Acts 20:21 calls it "repentance toward God." By the act of repenting you turn away from your sin and leave the Kingdom of Satan.

Repentance is a personal decision to change your allegiance from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God. This change of mind and turning from sin cannot be done in yourself. It is the.power of God which actually brings the change in the mind, heart, and life of a sinner:

Acts 11:18 "Then God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

Repentance is a gift of God:

Acts 5:31 "Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance..."

Although emotions may be involved in repentance, true repentance is a decision, not just an emotion. Sorrow for sin and the shedding of tears is not enough in itself. This must be accompanied by an inward decision that results in an outward change.

Why is repentance so important?

1. God Commands It:

Acts 17:30 "...but (God) now commandeth all men everywhere to repent."

2. It Is Necessary To Avoid Spiritual Death:

Luke 13:3 "..but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

3.It Is Necessary For Eternal Life:
Through repentance the penalty of death is removed and eternal life is granted:

Acts 11:18 "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

4. It Is Necessary For Forgiveness:
God cannot forgive your sins unless you repent:

Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

5. It Is God's Desire For All:
God does not want anyone to experience the spiritual death of eternal separation from God in
Hell:

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord...is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

6. It Is The Reason Jesus Came Into The World:

Luke 5:32 "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

7. It Is Necessary To Enter God's Kingdom:

Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

When you become part of the Kingdom of God, you are enlisting in God's army. Make up your mind to be a good soldier.