What is Faith and Repentance?

 Muslims believe that they can avoid the flames of hell if their virtues outweigh their sins. They endeavour to live a virtuous and religious life in order to earn their eternal reward with Allah.

Jesus taught quite differently.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NASB95

Then we are confronted with a question that will determine our eternal destiny.

What is faith?

After the war, the top leaders of the Nazi government in Germany were arrested. They had to stand trial for war crimes before a court in Nuremberg. Some were then executed.

Before the trial, the Americans appointed chaplains to provide pastoral care for the prisoners.

Some of the leading Nazis were Catholic, others Protestant. They were baptised as children and belonged to this or that denomination. Do you think these criminals would go to God's heaven?

Göring was supposedly Protestant. He wanted nothing to do with Jesus and he didn't want to be humiliated before the court. He committed suicide.

Hitler's foreign minister reacted differently. Von Ribbentrop repented.

Then we have to ask what real repentance is. Many attend a church service, but God does not play an important role in their everyday lives. They confess a sin now and then, but they do not change.

Was Joachim von Ribbentrop really converted? Before his execution, he begged his wife to bring up their children as Christians.

When Jesus began to preach, he told the Jews that they had to believe. What was that supposed to mean? Most Jews already believed in God.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mk 1:14–15 NIV

What is true repentance? What does repentance mean? The Greek word is METANOIA. It means a significant change of mindset. Whoever repents in the Christian sense changes his thinking and his attitude, just like von Ribbentrop before his execution.

Anyone who genuinely believes in Jesus believes in the risen Son of God. He opens his heart to the love of God. He believes in God's word and the message of Jesus himself.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. Jn 10:27–28 NRSV

There is a religious faith found in some churches, but so many people in church don't have a personal relationship with Jesus.

What role does Jesus play in your everyday life?

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NRSV

Jesus is still with us. He has sent his Holy Spirit into this world. He wants to help you today.

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NKJV