Can you imagine living your life thinking that you are a true Christian, but dying and meeting the Lord Jesus Christ and having Him say to you:

“I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  Those dreaded words come from this passage of Scripture:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23)

FROM LIVING WATERS MINISTRY:

Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

It is true that there are numerous Bible verses that speak of the promise of salvation, with no mention of repentance. These merely say to “believe” on Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). However, the Bible makes it clear that God is holy and man is sinful, and that sin makes a separation between the two (Isaiah 59:1,2). Without repentance from sin, wicked men cannot have fellowship with a holy God. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ.

The Scriptures speak of “repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). We turn from sin to the Savior. This is why Paul preached “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). The first public word Jesus preached was “repent” (Matthew 4:17). John the Baptist began his ministry the same way (Matthew 3:2). Jesus told His hearers that without repentance, they would perish (Luke 13:3).

If belief is all that is necessary for salvation, then the logical conclusion is that one need never repent. However, the Bible tells us that a false convert “believes” and yet is not saved (Luke 8:13); he remains a “worker of iniquity.” Look at the warning of Scripture: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6). The Scriptures also say, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said that there was joy in heaven over one sinner who “repents” (Luke 15:10). If there is no repentance, there is no joy because there is no salvation.

When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, he commanded his hearers to repent “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Without repentance, there is no remission of sins; we are still under His wrath. Peter further said, “Repent . . . and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). We cannot be “converted” unless we repent. God Himself “commands all men everywhere [leaving no exceptions] to repent” (Acts 17:30). Peter said a similar thing at Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38).

If repentance wasn’t necessary for salvation, why then did Jesus command that repentance be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47)? With so many Scriptures speaking of the necessity of repentance for salvation, one can only suspect that those who preach salvation without repentance are strangers to repentance themselves, and thus strangers to true conversion. [1]- source

Do you go to church week after week and give faithfully to your church and missions? Do you give of your time and talents to your church?  Do you read your Bible each day?  These are all good things to do.  But when you began to follow Jesus, had you repented of your sins?  Does your life bear fruit worthy of repentance?

One of my favorite preachers of all time was Adrian Rogers. He is with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven now, but his sermons live on to teach and rightly divide the Word of God.

I would encourage you to watch this video and listen closely to the words of Adrian Rogers. This could be the day when you realize that you have been “playing church” and have not been born again.  Do you want to be with God in heaven when you die?  God is not mocked. He knows your heart. He sees your motives.

Do you hate Israel and the Jews?

I am writing this article to show you that your heart has not been changed by reciting some words at the altar.  If you continue in this hatred of God’s people, you will indeed hear the dreaded words of Jesus.

I implore you to go to your knees and ask the Lord’s forgiveness for your hardened heart. Ask Him to search your heart and to create a new spirit within you. He will do it. He wants you to be with Him when you leave this earth.

Shalom b’Yeshua

MARANATHA