Repentance: The Pillar of Genuine Mission in Contemporary Christianity (06/19/'24)

Repentance: The Pillar of Genuine Mission in Contemporary Christianity The sentence "The theme of Christianity in the 21st century should be corruption, not mission" suggests that the focus of contemporary Christian discourse should shift from outward missions to addressing internal corruption. It implies that without addressing corruption, any mission work becomes hypocritical or ineffective. This aligns with the idea that repentance is foundational to a genuine Christian mission and salvation, highlighting that without repentance, the mission itself becomes corrupted. Bible Verses on Repentance and Mission: Acts 3:19 (NIV) "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." This verse underscores the importance of repentance as a prerequisite for receiving God's forgiveness and blessings. Luke 24:46-47 (NIV) "He told them, 'This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.'" Here, Jesus emphasizes that repentance is central to the message that should be preached to all nations, highlighting its importance in the Christian mission. Matthew 3:8 (NIV) "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." John the Baptist calls for repentance that leads to genuine change and action, reinforcing that true repentance results in observable transformation. Revelation 2:5 (NIV) "Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." This verse indicates that without repentance, a church or mission can lose its legitimacy and effectiveness. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." This Old Testament verse emphasizes the need for collective repentance to bring about healing and restoration from God. These verses collectively highlight that repentance is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith and mission. Without repentance, the integrity of Christian efforts and the promise of salvation are compromised. This supports the idea that addressing corruption (through repentance) should be a priority in contemporary Christianity. Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 19, 2024)