Much of the error of today's evangelism has to do with not understanding what repentance is. We know a person has to repent before they can be saved, but really what does that mean? Most have the idea that to repent means to be sorry for the mistakes made or for the hurt caused or for misunderstandings of others. Yes, we all have made mistakes, caused pain, hurt others and wish we could take a “mulligan” (a free shot sometimes given a golfer in informal play when the previous shot was poorly played). Many think that “repentance” is going into some kind of confessional and feeling really bad about theses mistakes...hoping that God would forgive and remedy our selfish stupidnesses. But this is not what salvation repentance is. A person cannot be saved until they realize they have no part with the holiness of God...until they realize they are rebels against God...until they realize the present and eternal consequences of their sin. Preacher “Smiling Joel” Olsteen once made the remark on the Larry King show: “People don't need to be told they are sinners, they already know that.” NO THEY DON'T! They have to be shown what sin is...how that sin affects their relationship with God...and the only remedy to be reconciled to Holy God is by the propitiating work of the Cross (2 Corinthians 5:19-21). This is the missing element of today's modern “evangelistic” message. We start off by telling the unbeliever “God has a wonderful plan for your life” (they have a “wonderful plan” too...hoping God will help them achieve it) but we neglect to tell them about the holiness of God and how far short they measure up...that they are headed for an eternity of hell...separated eternally from the goodness of God...without putting their faith and trust in what Jesus Christ accomplished for them on the cross, they have no hope. This is a humble recognition, but this is where effective evangelism must start. “Hell Fire and Brimstone?” Yes...that is what is missing in many of our churches today

The “Got Questions” website apply explains it this way:
“When the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, He represents the righteous judgment of God (Hebrews 4:12). There is no appeal of this verdict. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin, but He also brings them to repentance (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:5). The Holy Spirit brings to light our relationship to God. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to our sin and opens our hearts to receive His grace (Ephesians 2:8).

We praise the Lord for the conviction of sin. Without it, there could be no salvation. No one is saved apart from the Spirit's convicting and regenerating work in the heart. The Bible teaches that all people are by nature rebels against God and hostile to Jesus Christ. They are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44). Part of that “draw” to Jesus is the conviction of sin.”

My prayer for you and me this day is this: Lord, in our evangelistic efforts, we cannot bypass the importance of repentance. We trust God the Spirit to take the message of repentance and penetrate the hearts of the elect (Ephesians 1:3-8). Help us to be clear and true to the gospel message. Use us. Speak through us we pray. Amen.

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.