What is this concept called repentence? I think it is often confused with confession. Confession is part of repentence. It is agreeing with God concerning our sin. But to agree with God that what one has done is sinful and choosing to intend not to commit that sin again are two distinct components of repentence. In other words, one cannot repent without confession, but one con confess without true repentence.

Repentence is a gift and an opportunity. It is a gift and opportunity because in it God gives us the opportunity to experience His forgiveness and love resulting in a deeper relationship with Himself. We are not forced to repent, it is offered to us.

How do we arrive at a place of repentence? Scripture is clear that it is God's kindness, goodness and love that leads us to repentence. Paul says to the church at Rome, " Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" (Rom. 2:4)

There have been many who seem to prefer to beat sinners over their head with their sin until they finally submit in repentence. I believe that God would have us guide the sinner's gaze to the expression of His love for them. To the One who loved them enough to take their sin to a cruel cross and die there as the punishment for them. JN 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

"... I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. " Mt.16:18

I have often heard this qoute of Jesus reffering to the church standing against the growing darkness. This indicates a woeful lack of understanding of basic grammar. They often make it sound like Satan is storming the gates of the Kingdom of God. That is not what this verse says. This verse says that the Church as the representative of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth will storm the gates of hell and prevail!

Satan has somehow convinced believers today that they must be on the defensive when in fact they are on the offensive! The power and victory the we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ has put His Church on permanent offense. Its like a football game where only one team get posession of the ball. Who will win this game? Maybe its a baseball team where only one team gets to bat. We are on the offense!

Lets use another analogy, light and dark. We know that we are the light of the world. Too often its like we gather together behind closed doors and complain about how dark it is outside. The room we are in is very bright and we are correct in observing the utter darkness outside. The fault in our thinking is that we think that the problem of the darkness lies with the darkness. In fact, the problem is not the prevalence of darkess, rather it is the absence of light! We can be encouraged that light ALWAYS dispells darkness, no exceptions.

Let us take the battle to the gates of hell knowing that they will not stand against us. Let us take the light we are in Christ to the darkness knowing light always wins over darkness.