CONFRONTATIONS

The gospel call is not some lame invitation to "simply accept Jesus into your heart." It is first and formost a confrontation with who we are:

Repent and believe in the gospel!(Mark 1:15), Jesus declares. The same is echoed by Paul in his farewell to the Ephesians elders: I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:21, NIV).

Why repentance? Because we are sinners, enemies of God. We have offended Him tremendously, and we deserve nothing but His justice. True repentance is a gift from God (Acts 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:25), and involves a realization of our great offense and inability to make restitution to God.

The gospel is also a confrontation with who God is. God is holy, and is infinitely offended by sin. God is just, and therefore must sentence sin, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The gospel reveals that God has graciously sent His son to die for sinners who cannot save themselves. He permitted His son to die on their behalf amidst their rebellion and sin (cf. Romans 5:6-8) and to all who trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God promises eternal life.

Why faith? Having nothing else to offer God, we can only come to Him at His terms, trusting in His gracious offer of forgiveness to those who come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). As Paul said to the jailer, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household. (Acts 16:31)