Jesus’ first words recorded in the gospels are:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“The time is fulfilled . . . Repent, and believe in the gospel”
Summaries:
MT 4:17:
1. Repent
2. The kingdom of heaven is near (Various translations)
MK 1:15:
1. The time is fulfilled
2. The kingdom of God is near
3. Repent
4. Believe in the gospel
Repent: feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin (Remorse: deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed).
In His first primary teaching, the Beatitudes, Jesus said:
“Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
A Greek translation says: “Happy are the mourning ones, for they shall be being consoled” (MT 5:4).
In one of His final teachings, Jesus said: “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).
The Lord Jesus reveals in these words the key to salvation and knowing God: repentance; mourning over sin and our fallen condition; hating our life.
The Holy Spirit, who is God, convicts the world of sin (John 16:8).
If someone responds and repents, they have the opportunity to find Jesus Christ, the Lord God Almighty.
They will are truly, eternally fortunate. They can be happy, consoled and comforted – and infinitely more – forever.
The Holy Spirit
Jesus revealed and taught about the Holy Spirit as the Helper, the Comforter, four times (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7).
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father and of Jesus Christ.
If someone does what Jesus reveals, they can find eternal life, what humans are created to do: know the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom He has sent (John 17:3).
What God offers is unspeakably wonderful: having the Lord God Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, His presence and glory within, in and all around them . . . forever.
Thank you Jesus!
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