PART 13 THE SPIRITUALITY PUZZLE

13

SALVATION BY REPENTANCE AND BELIEF: ARE GODLY WORKS NECESSARY IN THE SALVATION PROCESS

Does this salvation message advocate that godly works are necessary in the salvation process? By necessary, I mean that without evidence of such, the person was either not saved or lost their salvation. The salvation message of repentance and belief supports the teaching that we as Christians are spiritually created for the purpose of eventually performing good (godly) works. However, let’s find out whether godly works are indispensable or not for the substantiation of our faith by looking at some Scripture sections.

Let’s begin by going to the book of Ephesians.

 

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This verse tells us that we’re God’s workmanship (His work of art or a masterpiece¹⁰⁴), created (made a new spiritual creature) in Christ Jesus. For what purpose? For the purpose of performing good works (good deeds; the actions which Christians are to perform;¹⁰⁵ our faith is demonstrated by our works).

 

So, what I’d like to ask in this respect is, what are good works?

Some would say that good works are works which Christians are told they should perform as conveyed by the Word of God such as visiting the orphans and widows in James 1:27, providing shelter and food for fellow believers in need in James 2:15-16, giving financially to support those who convey the Word of God in Galatians 6:5, etc. And while I’d agree that these are works that Christians should perform, what’s often not mentioned is what should the motivation be behind these works before we choose to implement them? You might respond by saying that this doesn’t make any sense. What are you talking about? If we’re participating in these actions, then our motivation must be right. Agree?

What I’m really talking about is something that we’ve already discussed with respect to one of the questions that was asked before about this particular dispensation, i.e., the Church Age.

 

That is, what causes a believer to have fellowship or be a partaker of God’s nature?

Do you remember what the answer was to this question? It wasn’t like the answer in previous dispensations that talked about obeying God’s instructions in terms of doing this or doing that, but it was being filled with the Spirit. Do you remember this answer now? This is really what should be encouraging us on a day-to-day basis. If this isn’t the case, then what’s moving us is our sin nature.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Some would suggest that a Christian has the right motivation when they obey the Word and do what it says. At times, this is true, and at other times, this isn’t true. Have you ever gone to church or been involved in volunteering to do this or that, and in your mind, you either really don’t want to be there or are harboring ill will in your mind toward someone while you appear to be acting spiritual? With that said, we could say that godly works are good works that evidence the graces of the Spirit while the believer is operating under the guidance, impulses, and energy of that life.¹⁰⁶

Unfortunately, in some cases, good works become a measuring stick as to whether someone is either saved or whether they’re about to lose their salvation. Some might say that if a believer evidences no good works at all, then they were probably not saved in the first place. Others might say that if a believer evidences a small number of works and stops altogether or no good works at all, then they’ve lost their salvation. They base these conclusions on verses which they believe support their claims. So, let’s take a look at these verses that talk about good works and determine whether they substantiate one’s salvation.

We’ll begin by going to the book of 1 John.

 

1 John 2:3-4

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

This verse says that we, as Christians, know that we know Christ if we keep his commandments.

 

What does it mean to know that we know Christ?

The first word know means to come to recognize. The second word know, means to know in a personal way, to be intimately acquainted with a person’s intentions and character,¹⁰⁷ and to have evidence to show that we’re a Christian.

We’re told that what causes us to know that we know him in this manner is by keeping his commandments. This begs the question.

 

What are Christ’s commandments?

If you were to have asked me in my younger years in the faith, I would’ve quickly said the Ten Commandments. Well, the word commandments in Koine Greek are transliterated to the English as entolas, which means precepts (various commands) that were conveyed to the church by the apostles and/or by Christ when He lived on earth as pertaining to this era. If the word commandments in Koine Greek were transliterated by a different word nomos, then this would be referring to the Mosaic Law, and as such, we could deduce that this was talking about one aspect of it, i.e., the Ten Commandments. What this verse is telling us is that if we were to keep (habitual observance of) His commandments (directions), then some examples of such could be as follows.

�-�Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 1 Peter 1:22

�-�Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

�-�Stop surrendering any part of ourselves as weapons of wicked purposes to do evil. Romans 6:13

�-�Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But for those who say I know him intimately (professes a fellowship with him¹⁰⁸) and they do

not observe or operate in his commandments, then they’re called a liar (one who makes a false profession) as indicated by the fact that the truth of God’s Word isn’t evident in their behavior (because this is someone who lives under the power of their sins,¹⁰⁹ in such a person the truth [isn’t] a dynamic, controlling influence,¹¹⁰and they’ve lost the ability to recognize truth). So, what this verse is saying in effect is, if a Christian isn’t operating in the filling of the Spirit but claims to be, there will be no evidence of godly works because they’re living according to their sin nature, which will evidence carnal characteristics.

Let’s find out more about whether godly works are essential by going to the book of Hebrews.

 

Hebrews 5:8-9

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

The writer of Hebrews says that though Christ were a Son, the Son of God, yet He became personally and practically acquainted with the true meaning of obedience as pertaining to the things which he suffered (in terms of the suffering it entailed¹¹¹; in the deepest sorrows of the body and the soul¹¹²).

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

And being made perfect (when [he’d] finished his course of tremendous sufferings, and consummated the whole by his death and resurrection¹¹³), he became the author (the causing; the source) of eternal salvation (to be saved forever) to those who obey him (of those [who’ve] put their faith in Jesus Christ¹¹⁴). Obedience isn’t talking about keeping one’s salvation by performing good works. But rather to obey Christ has to do with an unbeliever’s response to the gospel, whereby their salvation will be eternal.

The next section of Scriptures that we’ll look at contain these words, but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved that appear to say that if a believer continues to do this or that until their days on earth are over, then they’ll be saved. Is this what this is saying? These verses are found in the book of Matthew. Let’s go there.

 

Suggested Reading: Matthew 24:1-31

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Jesus was with His disciples on the Mount of Olives. While there, they asked him three questions. The first had to do with when the city of Jerusalem, its temple, and the Jewish state would be destroyed. The second had to do with when He would return. The third was as to when the end of the world would take place. If you or I were allowed to ask Jesus three questions, I wonder what these would be.

He responded by telling them that there would be a future time called the beginning of sorrows when certain things would indicate that the end of the world was near.

Some of these things that would indicate such are that there will be:

�-�Those who will claim to be the Christ and deceive many.

�-�International wars, civil wars, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes in different places.

�-�Believers who will be afflicted (punished) and put to death, and because of such many will stop believing in Christ, even turning one another over to the authorities.

�-�Iniquity or wickedness abounding everywhere, and subsequently, brotherly love will no longer be a characteristic of those who follow God.

�-�The occurrence of an abomination (a sacrilege; idolatry) that will occur in the temple area.

�-�A declaration of the gospel of the kingdom made to everyone living on the earth.

While it’s true that most of what will be going on here has been going on since civilization began, however, what’s noteworthy here is that there’s a few things that are declared to happen that didn’t happen before or hadn’t happened in a long period of time. For example, everyone in the world will have heard the gospel, the temple at Jerusalem will be rebuilt so that Jewish worship will be reinstituted, almost everyone on earth will be killed, the world as we know it will come to an end, and the Messiah of the Jews will return to the earth to intervene and set up His earthly kingdom.

Some believe that there will be a period of seven years in the future called the Tribulation Period, during which time these events will occur. Just before this time period begins it’s believed that a world ruler will arrive on the scene of international events and intervene at a time of possible world annihilation and bring about world peace. What might accompany this is a possible treaty which will be signed and held up for three and a half years. Unfortunately, at the end of the three and a half years, it’s alleged that this leader will do something that will cause this agreement to collapse.

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

The way Scripture describes it, this ruler apparently becomes full of himself and decides to enter the temple area and place an image of himself in it to be worshipped, and then all hell will break loose. This decision changes the peaceful climate of the world into one of full all-out assault with one main target, and that’s to annihilate the Jewish nation. So, the next three and a half years will be filled with intense warfare. And when it appears that total annihilation will be the result, Christ will return with his heavenly army and intervene.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Now, we’ll take a look at the words some say mean that if a Christian endure unto the end, i.e., obey Christ by performing good works, then they’ll be saved. There’s much-divided consensus as to what this verse means and to whom it was written, but what follows is one explanation of it. First, let’s try to address to whom this was addressed. Many believe that Matthew chapter 24 relates to the prophecy given by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Daniel in the book of Daniel chapters 9-11.

Apparently, Daniel received this prophecy during the third year of the reign of Cyrus the Great of Persia, who defeated the Babylonians unto whom the Jews were in captivity as slaves for many years, according to Daniel chapters 10-11. This prophecy indicated to Daniel what would happen to God’s people both in his time and in the future. So, there you have it. This prophecy and the verses we’re looking at were written for the Jews of the Babylonian captivity.

 

What about the Christian church? Are they still on the earth at this future time?

The prophecy of Daniel predicted that following the end of the Babylonian captivity, the Jews would begin the return to their homeland, and certain events would take place over about four hundred ninety years, the last seven of which wouldn’t transpire until the end of the world. During the four hundred eighty-three years, they would begin to rebuild their temple; they would resume worship under the institution of the Mosaic Law, and they would reject their coming Messiah and crucify Him on a cross. The amount of time allotted to this prophecy was seventy years, but only sixty-nine weeks were accounted for. So, you guessed it, the final week or the last seven years pertains to this seven-year period would take place just before the end of the world and Christ’s second coming.

As for where Christians fit into this picture, it’s believed that they’ll have been removed from the earth just prior to the beginning of these initial peaceful and then cataclysmic events by an occurrence called the Rapture. Therefore, the protocol of enduring to the end or of continuing to obey Christ’s commandments until the end of the world doesn’t apply to them because they’ll not be here. Just to restate this for emphasis, those that shall endure to the end will be saved doesn’t apply to Christians but to the unsaved Jews and Gentiles.

Revelation 14:9-10 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Scripture indicates that this dictator will become severely wounded but will miraculously recover. In commemoration of this, an image, statue, or inanimate object will be built in his honor, and somehow it will come to life, and as such, the peoples of the world will be forced to worship it. There will also be some type of a mark (maybe of a chip of some sort) that every person will be required to receive either in their forehead or hand in order to be able to buy or sell any goods. Those who decide to worship the beast and his image of the beast will incur the wrath of God.

So, in this context, those who endure to the end shall be saved refers to those Jews who will respond to the gospel of the kingdom during the seven-year Tribulation Period and subsequently have decided not to worship the beast nor receive a mark in their forehead or hand right up to the end (the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem). The word endure means to bear afflictions and persecutions faithfully. And the word saved doesn’t refer to salvation but deliverance from imminent dangers until the Lord returns and intervenes.

That was a lot of information to contemplate, but unless we’re thoroughly informed of these verses, we’ll only understand what they mean in a limited fashion. Likewise, if someone in leadership uses these Scriptures to claim evidence that good works are imperative for a believer’s salvation, you’ll know that they don’t even pertain to them, i.e., to Christians.

Let’s continue on and take a look at some Scriptures which some use to claim that if a believer is living in habitual sin and isn’t evidencing godly works, then they’re no longer saved and won’t inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Suggested Reading: Galatians 5:13-21

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.     

The Apostle Paul was speaking directly to his brethren, "brothers and sisters," those who were already saved. Yet, after listing the acts (sins) of the flesh, he warned them that if they were to live like this, they wouldn’t inherit the kingdom of God. The words do such indicate that Paul wasn’t referring to committing a single act of sin intermittently, but to regularly committing of these sins such that their lives were characterized by these sinful habits.

 

Was Paul actually telling them that if they continued to live their lives in this manner, they would lose their salvation?

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Some would say definitely yes. But I think there’s another way to interpret this. What’s actually being contrasted here is the flesh (the sin nature) and the influences of the Spirit. If someone is a Christian, there will always be a war going on between these two to some degree. If we habitually choose to live according to our sin nature, then we’ll not inherit the kingdom of God (won’t be under God’s authority). This isn’t talking about Christians losing their salvation and subsequent going to hell at death, but rather, it’s talking about sanctification, i.e., their spiritual walk. Christians who choose to live this way will give no evidence of being a child of God, but it will remain that they still are.

Well, we have one more section of Scriptures to look at. These are probably the foremost ones that many believe claim that if a believer isn’t doing this or that for God, then they aren’t saved. These verses are found in the book of James, chapters 1 and 2.

 

Suggested Reading: James 1:22-25; 2:14-26

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The Apostle James was addressing Jewish Christians who were scattered abroad beyond Palestine. He was instructing them to be doers (to live out the gospel message; to put the Word into practice) of the word and not just hearers only, thereby deceiving themselves (not practicing what you hear and know).

23-25a For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

After which, he gave them an example of what any Christian, who is only a hearer of the word only, is likened unto. They’re like a man who’s attentively observing and considering his natural face (reflected image; whom he used to be) in a glass (mirror). By analogy, the mirror could be the Word of God, which not only helps us see our shortcomings and defects but also provides the appropriate instruction that will help us when we find ourselves immersed in them. Some of the spiritual remedies are self-examination, name and cite known sin, and recovery (find out and memorize God’s Word as it provides for us His perspective which pertains to any area of human weakness and strength that we should reflect upon throughout each day).

If this man (any believer) decides to disregard the divine prescription for their lives and not address the issues that they see in the mirror, then they’ll not grow spiritually. However, if they looketh (attentively) into the perfect law of liberty (the Word of truth) and continueth therein (yields steady obedience to the Word), [they’ll] be a doer of the work (one who obeys God from a loving heart and pure conscience¹¹⁵), and as such will be blessed (happy; it will exert a good influence over his whole soul¹¹⁶) in his deed (doing). James then decides to provide an example of what it means to not being a doer, but only a hearer.

James 2:14-16 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

He says that if a man states that he has faith (genuine faith; saving faith), and shows no godly deeds, then can the faith in which he claims he’s operating in save him? The answer is no; this faith cannot save him. Does that mean to save him as pertaining to salvation? No, it means to save him from danger or destruction. In other words, we reap what we sow. It’s not a salvation faith that helps us in the trials of life, but an operational faith. It’s about someone who has learned how to walk in the Spirit and shows evidence of the fruit or spiritual qualities of the Holy Spirit.

So, if a fellow Christian has need of clothes and food and a fellow believer’s response to them is to Depart in peace without providing for them what they need, then their faith won’t profit (words without providing actual help are worthless;¹¹⁷ useless in evidencing godliness) others.

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

And so, the Apostle James concluded that faith, if it evidences no godly works, is dead (unproductive; not operational; destitute of fruit), being alone (it’s by itself and not operating according to the promptings and power of the Spirit).

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac, his son upon the altar?

In other words, was Abraham justified or made righteously (became saved) by works? No, this isn’t about salvation. He was justified (considered a righteous person before men; his faith was evident) by works (by his conduct) when he had offered Isaac, his son upon the altar.

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Faith was a constant working partner¹¹⁸ with his works, and by his works was his faith made perfect (developed; brought to maturity).

25b … he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

WOW! What we can conclude is that being a doer of the Word is to put it into practice. However, putting it into practice means not being a forgetful hearer (does not just listen and forget¹¹⁹), that is, someone who looks into the mirror of God’s Word and, seeing any personal shortcomings and deficiencies, applies God’s spiritual remedies so that they’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit and operate in His spiritual elements of character.

Well, what do you know? We’ve finished looking at the salvation message of repentance and belief. I’d say that it seems to be scripturally sound and one of the gospel messages in consideration that would cause an unbeliever to become saved if they were to respond to it.

As I reflected on what we’ve just learned, what came to my mind is, why would someone not want to respond to this gospel teaching? Or, for that matter, why might someone in church leadership not present this as THE GOSPEL MESSAGE? I think it’s because of the way we’re conditioned. It’s difficult for us to believe that God doesn’t require some kind of effort from us to prove to Him that we mean what we say and to others that our lives have changed.

What is the next salvation message that we’ll look at next? I’ll title this one the gospel of God living in everyone. But before we go there, I found an interesting article about the gospel of repentance and belief. Enjoy!

 

[WHAT EVER] HAPPENED TO THE GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH?

July 20, 2018 by Jack Wellman

 

What’s changed in the proclamation of the gospel in the last hundred years or so? It’s the presentation of the gospel that’s changed.

Come into my Heart

What’s happened to the presentation of the gospel? Where have repentance and faith gone? What about Jesus’ saying, “whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” ([Matt.] 16:25). Jesus [didn’t] come to give you or me a more fulfilling life; He demands our life! If we live for ourselves, we’re dead to Christ, but if we’re dead to self, then we’re alive to Christ. Jesus said, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). I’ve heard the phrase, “Let Jesus come into your heart” a few times, but exactly what does that mean? I’m not sure Jesus would like my heart since Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it” ([Jer.] 17:9)? Besides, Jesus doesn’t only want our hearts…He demands our life and that we seek Him and His righteousness above all things ([Matt.] 6:33). We must die to ourselves before we can live for Christ, so a plea to sinner to “Let Jesus come into your heart” is neither biblical nor effective.

 

Jesus Loves You

Yes, Jesus loves you, but [He’s] also asking you to repent and believe (Mark 1:14-15). The saying “the universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of man” [isn’t] found in the Bible. Whoever [isn’t] of Christ [isn’t] a child of the Father. You are either for Him or against Him ([Matt.] 12:30). [There’s] no neutrality with Jesus, so to simply walk up to people and proclaim, “Jesus loves you” or “God loves you” is never going to bring about the knowledge that they’re sinners and they need the Savior. Yes, God is love, but [He’s] also holy, and dwelling on only one attribute can be to the others. You cannot separate one attribute from another. The only attribute of God that’s mentioned three times is that [He’s] “Holy, Holy, Holy.” [That’s] the greatest emphasis possible in Jewish literature. One man walked around the park with a sign that said, “Jesus loves you.” Well, that’s nice, but a lot of people would answer, “Well, my wife loves me [too,] and so do my children and my mom.” Can you imagine Jesus or Paul going up to the Pharisees, Scribes or lawyers and say, “I love you?”

 

Accept Jesus

Many years [ago,] when I was saved, maybe I said, “[I’ve] accepted Jesus,” but a few years [later,] I thought, [does Jesus really need my acceptance?] [I’d] be more concerned about Jesus accepting me! It sounds a bit condescending to Christ to say, “[I’ve] decided to accept You, Jesus,” almost as if He needed our acceptance before we could be saved; almost as if we’re saying, “He needs me to accept Him in order more for me to saved, so I guess I’ll just have to accept Him.” If we had to “accept” anything, it was the fact that we [sin] in the hands of an angry God, and that our sins had separated us from Him, so we must put our trust in Christ, not accept Him. Actually, [He's] the One Who grants repentance (2 [Tim.] 2:25) and draws us to Christ (John 6:44), and we only love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

 

Give Your Heart to Jesus

[There’s] the phrase, “[I’ve] given my heart to Jesus,” and I’m not sure where it came from, but [it’s] somewhat recent. I know people are saved by donating organs, but what does it mean to say, “Give your heart to Jesus.” Once more, Jesus doesn’t want one part alone…He wants all of us. I realize this is a common expression, but God is the one Who quickens the dead, not the [dead,] quickening themselves ([Eph.] 2:1-4), so we cannot give anything to God, particularly our heart, until God quickens us to eternal life by His Spirit. It’s not about giving our heart; it’s about what God gave (John 3:16).

 

Don’t Lose Heart. You’re Awesome

Don’t Lose Heart. You’re Awesome. This was on a church [sign,] and it just struck me as wrong. Only God is awesome. In fact, the word awesome should only be reserved for God Himself. No, [I’m] not awesome. [I’d] only say that [I’m] awful…a wretch and not deserving to be saved. The truth is, [there’s] not one [that’s righteous] and not even the one who thinks he’s the exception ([Rom.] 3:10). There are none that do good ([Rom.] 3:12). I’m awesome? Really!? It’s a nice pithy statement, but I’d like to see the chapter and verse for that one.

 

The Sinner’s Prayer

God alone saves, so salvation [doesn’t] come by repeating a sinner’s prayer. Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved (Acts 4:12), and God is the one Who draws people to Christ (John 6:44), and even though He may use this prayer as a means to save someone, it’s not the prayer itself that saves anyone. It takes the Word of God with the Spirit of God to create the children of God. If [you’re] repeating a [sinner’s] prayer or even filling out a decision card (not biblical either), you may be giving someone false assurance or creating a pseudo conversion. Even walking the isle doesn’t save you. Again, God alone saves (Acts 16:30-31). When someone asks what they must do to be saved, we don’t say, “Here, fill out this decision card, walk the [aisle] or repeat this [sinner’s] prayer.” Jesus says we must repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:14-15).

 

Conclusion

In the last century or so, the church has become more [seeker-sensitive], but until we tell people the bad news about sin, judgment, and God’s wrath upon the unrepentant, they’ll never see the importance of God’s mercy. His mercy is only relevant until His wrath is revealed. That makes Christ’s atonement all the more precious. [It’s] only through Christ that we can be seen as having His righteousness (2 [Cor.] 5:21). Until a person sees that they’ve got the death penalty hanging over their head, [they’ll] never seek the Advocate (1 John 2:1). You cannot preach the gospel without preaching about repentance, just as John the Baptist said, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). The Holy Spirit convicted the consciences of those who were witnesses of and responsible for Jesus’ being crucified. The Apostle Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). When Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry, He said, “The time is [fulfilled,] and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15). You cannot leave out repentance and faith when presenting Christ. In fact, conversion cannot occur apart from the Holy Spirit and the presence of both faith and repentance. That [He’s] “mighty to save” ([Zeph.] 3:17), is mighty good news.¹²⁰