Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand “

Matthew 4:17 NKJV
[17] From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.4.17.NKJV

Mark 1:14-15 NKJV
[14] Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

https://bible.com/bible/114/mrk.1.14-15.NKJV

Matthew 3:1-2 NKJV
[1] In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, [2] and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.3.1-2.NKJV

“The Gospel of the kingdom” is the message of repentance. Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (it is near)

Mark’s gospel includes “repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

The message of God to His people from the beginning has always been “repent and believe.” Adam could have repented and believed in God to save him. God came looking for Adam, after he and Eve had eaten the poisonous fruit. But they hid out of guilt, shame and fear. (Genesis ch 3)

Guilt, because they knew they had rebelled against God, choosing to do the one thing He had forbidden.

Shame, because guilt leads to shame from the stain of sin on the inside. Iniquity is the stain of sin, left on the human soul;  the inner knowledge that we’ve done wrong and committed sin and our guilt leads to shame and condemnation; self-condemnation.

Romans 8:1-2 ESV
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.1-2.ESV


Fear takes over once guilt and shame have consumed one’s conscience; the fear of being found out. What if others know? What if God finds out? So we make efforts to hide our guilt, which leads us into darkness. The longer and further we go on and continue in our sinful state, stained with the iniquity of our sins, the darker our inner life will become. Darkness leads to spiritual blindness. Our ability to make wise decisions, and say no to temptation are greatly hindered.

Guilt, shame and fear will continue to rule in our hearts until we “repent and believe in the Gospel.” The light that shines in our darkness is the Truth of God’s word, which is the Gospel; the good news of Christ’s Resurrection.

This is why Paul declares:

Romans 1:16-17 ESV
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.16-17.ESV

You can be ruled by guilt, shame and fear, which are the lies of the enemy, the deception he uses to keep you chained and in bondage to your own self-centeredness and self-condemnation.

Or you can repent and believe in the Gospel and receive the power of God’s forgiveness and grace and be set free from your past sins and iniquities.

Repent and believe, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (near). Truth is, it’s only a prayer away. Repent, confess, be forgiven and cleansed, and you can walk as a free person.