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Abundant Life in the Son: A Study of Salvation

Who Should Repent?

Scripture shows that the call to repentance is universal. As we noted
above, Paul expressed this in his message to the people of Athens. In that
context, he stated that God commands all people everywhere to repent.
Clearly, every person is included in this call. All those who have never
believed in Christ are invited to repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and
become part of His family (John 3:15–17; Titus 2:11; Revelation 22:17).

It is also important to note that people who have already believed in Christ
and become His followers are called to repentance. On occasion, Christians
may lose their zeal for Christ as their love for Him grows cold. For example,
Christians in the church at Ephesus were guilty of this problem (Revelation 2:5).
As a result, the Lord of the church
warned these slothful believers to
repent and renew their relationship
On occasion, Christians with Him. Other Christians, for
may lose their zeal example, those at Laodicea,
became so spiritually indifferent
for Christ. When this that they risked their very spiritual
happens, they must life (Revelation 3:15–17).

repent and renew their True repentance is the

relationship with Him. only cure for those who are
spiritually dead, indifferent, or
unresponsive. Repentance is the
only way back to God whenever
there has been failure and sin. God’s promise of forgiveness if we confess
our sins (1 John 1:9) is directed primarily to Christians, although it can be
applied to anyone who is ready to repent.

The Experience of Repentance
Why Is It Necessary?

Repentance is necessary because the Bible says that “all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All of
us have sinned—no one is excluded except the Lord Jesus Christ.
Remember that sin is failing to live according to God’s law or else
breaking it. The switch operator who fails to lower the safety gate at
a railroad crossing and thus causes the express train to hit and kill

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