
Preaching the Gospel of Repentance Through Jesus Christ: God’s Call to Salvation
IK Gibson
Founder & Visionary
God has always had a plan for humanity, a plan that centers on salvation through Jesus Christ. From the very beginning, His desire has been to reconcile us to Himself. But this reconciliation can only come through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. As someone called by God to preach the gospel, I have been commissioned to deliver this vital message: repentance through Jesus Christ is the only way to receive the remission of sins. God wants to save you and me; all we have to do is believe in Him and accept His gift of salvation.
The Bible, God’s inspired Word, makes it abundantly clear that we are all sinners in need of redemption: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, ESV). This scripture highlights the universal nature of sin—none of us is exempt. We have all strayed from God’s path and require His grace to be restored.
The good news, however, is that God, in His infinite mercy, has provided a way for us to be saved. This way is through Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, rose again, and now offers us eternal life. As it is written, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, ESV).
How to Know if You Are Still on the Right Path
It is one thing to have received salvation, but another to continue walking in it. The path of righteousness is not always easy, but it is the only path that leads to eternal life. The Bible encourages us to examine ourselves regularly to ensure that we are still in the faith: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV). Self-examination is critical in maintaining a close relationship with God and ensuring that we are still walking in His ways.
But how can you know if you are still on the right path? Here are a few key indicators:
1. You Seek God’s Will Above All Else: A believer who is on the right path consistently seeks God’s will in every aspect of life. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, ESV). This should be the posture of our hearts—always desiring that God’s will be done in our lives, even when it requires sacrifice or discomfort. Are you living with a deep desire to see God’s will fulfilled in your life? Are you more concerned with His plans than your own? If so, you are likely still on the right path.
2. You Abide in Christ: Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4, ESV). To abide in Christ means to remain in a close, personal relationship with Him. This relationship is nurtured through regular prayer, Bible study, and obedience to His commands. When you abide in Christ, you will bear fruit—evidence of your salvation will be seen in your character, your actions, and your influence on others. If you find that you are consistently bearing fruit in your life, it is a strong indication that you are on the right path.
3. You Live a Life of Repentance: True repentance is more than just feeling sorry for your sins; it involves turning away from sin and turning towards God. The Bible calls us to live a life of repentance, continually seeking to align our lives with God’s standards. As 1 John 1:9 (ESV) says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If you find that you are regularly confessing your sins and seeking God’s forgiveness, you are walking in His ways.
4. You Have a Deep Love for God and Others: Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39, ESV). Love is the fulfillment of the law and the greatest evidence of our faith. If you find that your life is characterized by a deep love for God and a sincere love for others, you are likely on the right path. This love is not just an emotion; it is demonstrated through your actions, your generosity, and your willingness to forgive and serve others.
If you are doing these things, then you know you are still on the right path. However, if you find that you have strayed, it’s never too late to turn back to God. The Bible reassures us that God is always willing to receive those who return to Him with a repentant heart: “Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster” (Joel 2:13, ESV).
The Urgency of Accepting God’s Gift of Salvation
The Bible is clear that there is an urgency to accepting God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. None of us knows when our time on earth will end, and none of us knows when Jesus will return. This is why the Bible urges us to be prepared at all times: “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42, ESV).
Some people believe that because God is loving, He will never send sinners to hell. While it is true that God is loving and merciful, the Bible also teaches that God is just. His justice req uires that sin be punished. Those who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior in this present world will face eternal damnation in hell. Jesus Himself warned about the reality of hell: “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46, ESV).
God does not want anyone to perish. The Bible tells us, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, ESV). However, God has given us free will, and we must choose to accept His gift of salvation. The choice is ours, and it has eternal consequences.
If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so today. Do not delay, for the time of salvation is now: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV).
The Reality of Eternal Damnation
The concept of hell is one of the most difficult doctrines in Christianity, but it is also one of the most important. The Bible teaches that hell is a real place of eternal torment for those who reject God’s offer of salvation. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible, warning people to avoid it at all costs: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43, ESV).
Hell is described in the Bible as a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:42, ESV), a place of “outer darkness” (Matthew 8:12, ESV), and a “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15, ESV). These descriptions are meant to convey the absolute horror of being eternally separated from God. It is a place where there is no hope, no joy, and no relief.
Some people argue that a loving God would never send anyone to hell. But the truth is that God doesn’t send people to hell; they choose it by rejecting His offer of salvation. God has done everything necessary to save us from hell. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins so that we could be reconciled to Him. As John 3:16 (ESV) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
The decision to accept or reject Jesus Christ is the most important decision we will ever make. It determines our eternal destiny. God’s desire is that we all choose life, but He will not force us. He gives us the freedom to choose our path, but He also warns us of the consequences of rejecting His gift of salvation.
The Joy of Eternal Life Through Jesus Christ
While the Bible warns us about the reality of hell, it also offers us the incredible promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. This is the good news of the gospel: that we don’t have to face eternal damnation because Jesus has made a way for us to be saved. Eternal life is not just a future hope; it is a present reality for those who are in Christ.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24, ESV). This means that the moment we place our faith in Jesus, we receive eternal life. It is a life that begins now and continues forever in the presence of God.
Eternal life is more than just living forever; it is living in perfect fellowship with God. It is experiencing the fullness of His love, joy, and peace. The Bible gives us a glimpse of what eternal life will be like: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, ESV).
This is the hope that we have in Christ. No matter what we face in this life, we can have confidence that our future is secure in Him. We can look forward to the day when we will see Him face to face and spend eternity in His glorious presence.
Are You Ready to Receive God’s Gift of Salvation?
The gospel of repentance through Jesus Christ is the most important message you will ever hear. It is the message of God’s love, mercy, and grace. It is the message of salvation from sin and eternal damnation. It is the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
If you have not yet received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so today. The Bible tells us that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, ESV). Salvation is a free gift from God, but it requires a response from us. We must turn from our sins, place our faith in Jesus, and follow Him.
Do not wait any longer. The Bible warns us that we do not know what tomorrow will bring (James 4:14, ESV). Today is the day of salvation. God is calling you to come to Him, to receive His forgiveness, and to enter into a relationship with Him that will last for all eternity.
Respond to God’s Call Today
God’s love for you is immeasurable. He has already made the ultimate sacrifice by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins. The path to eternal life is open to you, but you must choose to walk it. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. If you feel the tugging of God on your heart, do not harden your heart. Surrender to Him, confess your sins, and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13, ESV). This is the promise of God, and it is available to you right now.