Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel. Here is the sum and substance of Christ's whole teaching — the Alpha and Omega of His entire ministry; and coming from the lips of such an one and at such a time (just after His baptism), we should give the most earnest heed to it. I. The gospel which Christ preached was, very plainly, a COMMAND. He didn't condescend to reason about it. Why is this? 1. To ensure its being attended to. Many would never venture to believe at all if it were not made penal to refuse to do so. 2. That men may be without excuse if they neglect it. II. THIS COMMAND IS TWO FOLD. It explains itself: repent and believe. 1. Repentance. Abhorrence of one's past life, because of the love of Christ which has pardoned it. Avoidance of present sin, because not one's own, but bought with a price. Resolution to live henceforth like Jesus. This is the only repentance we have to preach and to practise: not law and terrors, not despair, not driving men to self-murder — this is the sorrow of the world, which worketh death: godly sorrow is a sorrow unto salvation through Christ. 2. Faith. That is, trust in Christ. This goes hand-in-hand with repentance. Neither will be of any use without the other. Trust Christ to save you, and lament that you need to be saved, and mourn because this need of yours has put the Saviour to open shame, frightful sufferings, and a terrible death. III. This command is A MOST REASONABLE ONE. God only asks of you that which your heart, if it were in a right state, would rejoice to give. You can't expect to be saved while you are in your sins, any more than you can expect to have a healthy body while there is poison in your veins. And then, as to faith, God surely has a right to demand of the creature he has made, that he shall believe what He tells him: IV. This is a command which DEMANDS IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE. The danger is real; the necessity is urgent. Today is the time God graciously gives you; tomorrow He may claim as His own. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. |
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