God calls all men everywhere to repent of your sins. However, the modern message is only believe and be baptized.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-5.
A Modern Heresy
God calls all men everywhere to repent! However, if you listen to most modern altar calls, the word repent seems have been dropped from the requirements for Salvation. This is not because God has changed his requirement. It is because the church has so water down the Gospel, that it no longer lines up with the Word of God. It is a modern heresy to say that repentance is not required for salvation. God demands repentance, but then he works in us by His Holy Spirit to enable us to live renewed lives.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:16.
The lack of repentance is the reason the out of wedlock birth rate is skyrocketing. Now past 70% in the African American community. The lack of repentance is the reason we keep reading about one church crisis after another. Our own leaders have bought into this idea that Jesus paid it all. Past, present, and future. And we don’t have to do anything! We can live anyway we want!
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
The Power To Change Through His Holy Spirit
It is true that Christ died on the cross for us. But it wasn’t just so that He could take our sins upon us. It was also so that we could have the power to change. When we submit ourselves to God, and believe in Jesus, then he imparts His righteousness to us in TWO WAYS. The first, so that our sins might be forgiven. And secondly, so that we be empowered through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to truly change.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:12-14.
Ignore Your Conscience?
I have even heard preachers counsel people to ignore their consciences, as a result of this false teachings. When people sin, and they begin to feel guilty about it, and have an opportunity to repent, some preachers will tell them that it is the Devil condemning them. Not to say that the Devil won’t try to inflict our consciences at time, but when we truly repent, God is able to bring us the peace that “passes all understanding”.
A major Christian magazine ran an article on just this subject. The article seemed to imply that whenever we feel guilty, or lose our peace in God, it is just the accuser of the brethren, the Devil, and we should shake it off. The problem is that is why God gave us a conscience in the first place. Even “unsaved” people have a moral conscience. Without it, civilization itself would not be possible.
God Gave Us A Conscience
God gave us a conscience, so that we would know when we are doing right, and when we are doing wrong. He gave a conscience to everyone.
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 2:14-16.
A Healthy Conscience
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:16.
Paul said that his objective was to have a healthy conscience, void of offence toward God, and toward men. We should do the same. It should not be our objective to just ignore our conscience, or to blank it out. Rather, to truly repent of our sins, and to make amends where possible.
However, when we repeatedly ignore our consciences, then we are in danger of damaging them. If this happens, it can destroy our ability to discern right from wrong, leave us open to continually unrepentant sin, and to come under total bondage to our sin nature. In such cases, we are in danger of becoming captive to the Devil.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1 Timothy 4:1-2.