Don't Avoid Sin

"And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Luke 24:45-47

When the coming of Jesus the Messiah was announced by John the Baptist, the way had been prepared with baptism of repentance.  Spearheaded by the prophet John the Jews were struck with their need to repent of their sins.  People asked, "What shall we do?"  John was a mighty prophet, and his role was not to make disciples of himself but point to Jesus.  In fact, many who once faithfully followed John the Baptist left him and demonstrated a shift in their primary allegiance to follow Jesus instead.

John preached repentance, and so did Jesus throughout His earthly ministry.  The passage cited from Luke shows that even after the death and resurrection of Jesus repentance and remission (freedom, pardon, deliverance) of sins was to be preached in His name everywhere.  For the unbeliever and disciple alike, Jesus says repentance is to remain a major point of emphasis in preaching.  It is interesting to me Jesus did not say to emphasise grace, love, comfort, or purpose - common themes of books and sermons today.  There is nothing wrong with emphasising these biblical truths of course, but these potentially more attractive themes to sinners cannot replace the need for preaching of repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus.

To preach repentance, it is often necessary to lay groundwork John the Baptist and Jesus did not need to with their audiences.  The Jews were well-versed in the Law and their sins before God.  Many people today have their doubts about the existence of God, and before repentance can be preached there is a need to explain sin in detail.  Most men will proclaim their own goodness (Proverbs 20:6), and these have no idea of how profound and systemic their own sin is and the fatal consequences of it.  We must be brought to believe we have a dangerous disease before we will submit to a painful and costly cure, and sinners must be convinced of their sin before they will desperately seek a Saviour.  Unless the hard hearts of sinners are made contrite and broken in repentance before a holy God for their sin, there can be no salvation.  God and His Word does the breaking - not the preacher.

Even as it was necessary for Jesus to suffer, die, and rise from the dead for us to be saved, preaching concerning repentance and remission of sins are indispensable in Gospel preaching.  Let us not be surprised there are few or no genuine converts when we cautiously avoid the very topics the Holy Spirit was sent to address:  He has been sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11).  We will be judged by our almighty Creator according to His perfect standard of righteousness, and God's Word reveals to a tender conscience how we are grossly sinful.  It is by grace through faith we are saved and by nothing we do, yet repentance is an important step in our forgiveness.  This change in us is only by God's grace as we are brought into agreement with God.

When a patient is diagnosed with a deadly illness, the doctor is forced by their sworn duty of care to inform the patient of the grave news and possible treatment options.  It is difficult for the doctor to share the bad news, and the patient is sorry to hear it.  But the severity of the illness must be communicated so the patient will respond appropriately for the good of their own health.  It is similar with Gospel work, for the disciple of Jesus must establish the need of repentance for sins before remission of sins can be addressed in Jesus' name.  Let us not shrink from this sober and joyful duty any more than a doctor or midwife prepares to bring a new child into the world by assisting a pregnant mother.  Addressing sin will be painful as the Word cuts deep, but there is healing, consolation, and comfort for all those who repent and rely upon Jesus for salvation.