The following scriptures make clear the importance of repenting and believing. For us to enter into life with God, we must choose it. We must turn from our own way and embrace God’s life. A clear choice must be identified, and then that choice must be made. Often this choice will come at a cost, but that cannot be helped, the cost must be paid, and the choice must be made if we are to become a disciple of Jesus:
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
Sometimes the most important part of the discipleship process is the choice we must make, if we will not make the choice we will not grow. Whether that is the initial decision to become a Christian, or the decision to obey God in a specific situation, or the choice to value the way of Jesus over the way of the world. Seeing and hearing are not enough, we must also repent and believe if we are to enter and receive. Read Matthew 19:16-22 where Jesus makes clear for a man what choice he must make to enter the Kingdom. The man was unwilling to make that choice, and instead walked away from Jesus and life in God’s Kingdom.
What choice must I make; at what cost; and am I willing to make that choice?