“And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, 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

“So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:15-16‬ ‭

Ouch, that sounds harsh. Didn’t Jesus know the gospel? I wonder what the doctrine was that he hates—easy to find out if you desire. We see later in Revelation that the sword of his mouth devours the ungodly.

This is not a game. Sin kills.

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:18‬

We must refuse to serve the enemy at all costs. He will flee from us if we resist.

Repentance is a gift from God:

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (sin)...And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:19, 24-26‬

How does the devil take us captive?: “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” ‭‭John‬ ‭8:34‬

No man can serve two masters.

WHY did Jesus come, in his own words?: “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:45-47‬

... He came so that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in his name throughout all the nations.

Mentally agreeing with the gospel is NOT accepting the gospel. You must be born again.

How can you be forgiven for your sin? Is it by thinking in your head that you are forgiven? Or is it: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:6-10

“I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: For I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: And I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: For their deceit is falsehood.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:113-118‬

Hold thou me up, Jesus, and I shall be safe. And I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

What will happen to those who say they believe in him, but continue in their sins? “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:21-23‬

Iniquity: Strong’s Greek concordance #458 Anomian: lawlessness, iniquity, sin, utter disregard for God’s law

Repent: #3340 metanoéō: (from 3326 /metá, "changed after being with" and 3539 /noiéō, "think") – properly, "think differently after," "after a change of mind"; to repent (literally, "think differently afterwards").