Main Texts: Acts 3:19; John 3:16–18; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Acts 17:30–31; John 14:6.
Central Message: Every person needs to repent and accept Jesus Christ because all have sinned, sin separates humanity from God, judgment is coming, and God has provided salvation, forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
1. INTRODUCTION: GOD’S CALL TO EVERY SINNER
Acts 17:30 says:
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” — KJV
Repentance is not merely a message for criminals, idol worshippers, or people whose lives appear immoral. It is God’s call to every human being who has not turned to Him through Jesus Christ.
A person may be educated, wealthy, respected, religious, morally upright, or influential and still need salvation.
Why? Because the fundamental problem of humanity is not merely poverty, ignorance, sickness, or bad behaviour. It is sin and separation from God.
Jesus did not come merely to improve people’s outward lives. He came to save sinners.
Matthew 1:21 declares that Jesus will save His people from their sins.
Three foundational truths
- Every human being needs God’s salvation (Romans 3:23).
- God desires people to repent rather than perish (2 Peter 3:9).
- Salvation is offered through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
2. FIFTEEN REASONS WHY UNBELIEVERS SHOULD REPENT AND ACCEPT CHRIST
1. Because all have sinned against God
Scripture: Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Sin is not limited to murder, robbery, adultery, or other publicly condemned acts. It also includes pride, hatred, deceit, greed, unforgiveness, rebellion against God, and other violations of His will.
No one can claim to be completely righteous before God through personal effort.
Explanation: An unbeliever should repent because every person needs forgiveness and restoration to God. Even a respectable person needs Christ.
2. Because sin separates humanity from God
Scripture: Isaiah 59:1–2
Sin damages our relationship with God. It produces spiritual alienation and prevents us from enjoying the relationship with Him for which we were created.
Explanation: People may have good relationships with family and friends and still be spiritually separated from God. Repentance and faith in Christ bring reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).
3. Because the wages of sin is death
Scripture: Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Sin carries serious consequences, including spiritual death and, apart from God’s salvation, final judgment.
Explanation: Just as wages are earned, the Bible teaches that sin has a consequence. But God offers eternal life as a gift through Christ. Nobody can purchase this gift through money, good works, or religious activities.
4. Because judgment is coming
Scripture: Hebrews 9:27; Acts 17:31
The Bible teaches that human life is accountable to God and that He will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Explanation: People should not live as though their present earthly existence is all that matters. Repentance is a response to God’s warning and mercy, preparing a person to stand before Him through the salvation He provides.
5. Because God loves sinners
Scripture: John 3:16; Romans 5:8
God did not wait for humanity to become perfect before demonstrating His love. Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Explanation: The call to repentance is not proof that God hates people. It is an invitation to receive His love and be delivered from sin. God calls people to turn to Him because He desires their salvation.
6. Because Jesus died for our sins
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 1 Peter 2:24
Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. His death was not merely an example of courage; it was central to God’s provision for dealing with human sin.
Explanation: The cross demonstrates both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s mercy. An unbeliever should respond to Christ’s sacrifice with repentance and faith rather than reject the salvation God offers
7. Because Jesus is the way to the Father
Scripture: John 14:6; Acts 4:12
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Christianity teaches that reconciliation with God is through Jesus Christ. Human achievements, ancestry, religious titles, and membership in a church cannot replace Him.
Explanation: Being born into a Christian family does not automatically make a person a Christian in the biblical sense. Each person must personally respond to Christ.
8. Because Christ offers a new life
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Salvation brings a new relationship with God and begins a transformation of the heart, values, desires, and conduct.
Explanation: Christ does not merely cover up a person’s old life with religious language. He calls that person into a new life of faith, obedience, love, and holiness.
9. Because repentance brings forgiveness
Scripture: Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning to God. It involves a change of mind and heart that begins to produce a change of direction.
God promises forgiveness to those who confess their sins and turn to Him.
Explanation: An unbeliever need not remain imprisoned by guilt or pretend that sin does not matter. Through Christ, genuine forgiveness is available.
10. Because Christ delivers from condemnation
Scripture: Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
Those who are in Christ are no longer under condemnation for their sins. This does not mean that Christians never make mistakes; it means their hope rests in Christ’s saving work, not in their own perfection.
Explanation: The gospel offers freedom from condemnation and a new standing before God.
11. Because Christ seeks the lost
Scripture: Luke 19:10
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Jesus came to rescue people who were separated from God. His parables of the lost sheep and lost son reveal God’s concern for those who have wandered away (Luke 15).
Explanation: No sinner should conclude that he or she is too far gone for God’s mercy. A person can turn to Christ regardless of how shameful the past has been.
12. Because Christ brings people into God’s family
Scripture: John 1:12; Romans 8:15–16
Those who receive Christ and believe in His name are given the right to become children of God.
Explanation: Salvation is not only escape from punishment. It also brings a restored relationship with God, access to Him in prayer, and the privilege of belonging to His family.
13. Because Christ gives abundant and purposeful life
Scripture: John 10:10; Ephesians 2:10
Jesus offers life in fellowship with God. Believers are also called to walk in good works that God has prepared for them.
Explanation: Accepting Christ does not guarantee a life free from suffering, poverty, sickness, or disappointment. It gives a new foundation, spiritual purpose, and hope even in hardship.
14. Because Christ offers eternal life
Scripture: John 3:16; 1 John 5:11–12
Eternal life is God’s gift through His Son. It includes knowing God now and the Christian hope of life with Him beyond physical death.
Explanation: Wealth, fame, education, and earthly achievements cannot overcome death. The gospel directs people to the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ.
15. Because the opportunity to respond should not be neglected
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:15
The Bible urges people to respond to God’s call rather than harden their hearts or presume they will always have another opportunity.
Explanation: Nobody knows the length of their earthly life. Therefore, a person should not deliberately postpone repentance. The urgency of the gospel should lead to a sincere response, not panic or manipulation.
3. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REPENT?
Main Text: Acts 2:37–38.
Repentance is more than feeling sorry because one has suffered the consequences of sin. Biblical repentance involves a genuine turning to God.
It includes the following:
- Recognising sin — agreeing with God about one’s sinful condition (Romans 3:23).
- Feeling godly sorrow — grieving over sin rather than merely regretting its consequences (2 Corinthians 7:10).
- Confessing sin — acknowledging one’s wrongdoing before God (1 John 1:9).
- Turning away from sin — abandoning sinful practices and turning towards God (Isaiah 55:7).
- Trusting Jesus Christ — placing one’s faith in His death and resurrection for salvation (Romans 10:9–10).
- Beginning a changed life — producing fruit consistent with repentance (Matthew 3:8).
Important distinction
Repentance does not mean that a person must become morally perfect before coming to Jesus. We come to Him as sinners needing grace, and He begins to transform us.
Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not the result of our works. Genuine faith, however, begins to produce obedience and good works (Ephesians 2:10).
4. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST?
To accept Jesus Christ means to receive Him by faith as the Saviour and Lord of one’s life.
It involves:
- Believing that Jesus is the Son of God.
- Believing that He died for our sins and rose again.
- Acknowledging our need for His salvation.
- Trusting in His finished work rather than our own righteousness.
- Surrendering our lives to His authority and following Him.
John 1:12: Those who receive Christ and believe in His name are given the right to become children of God.
Accepting Jesus is therefore more than repeating a prayer, joining a church, or being baptised. These outward acts cannot replace a sincere response of faith and repentance.
5. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SINNER REPENTS AND BELIEVES?
The Bible presents several blessings of salvation.
| Blessing | Scripture | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Forgiveness of sins | Acts 10:43 | God forgives those who believe in Christ. |
| Justification | Romans 5:1 | The believer is justified by faith and has peace with God. |
| Reconciliation | Romans 5:10–11 | The relationship with God is restored through Christ. |
| New birth | John 3:3–6 | A new spiritual life begins through the work of the Spirit. |
| Adoption | Romans 8:15–16 | The believer is welcomed into God’s family. |
| Freedom from condemnation | Romans 8:1 | Those in Christ are no longer condemned. |
| The gift of the Holy Spirit | Acts 2:38 | The Spirit is given to those who belong to Christ. |
| Eternal life | John 3:16 | God gives eternal life through His Son. |
These blessings do not mean believers will never face trials. Christians may experience persecution, financial difficulty, illness, grief, and unanswered questions. Their confidence rests in God’s grace and faithfulness, not in a promise that every earthly problem will immediately disappear.
6. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF A PERSON REFUSES TO REPENT?
The Bible gives several warnings.
A. The person remains in unbelief. John 3:18 explains the seriousness of refusing to believe in God’s Son.
B. The person remains accountable to God. Romans 14:12 teaches that each person will give an account of himself to God.
C. The person faces the reality of divine judgment. Acts 17:31 teaches that God has appointed a day of judgment through Jesus Christ.
D. The person risks rejecting God’s offer of eternal life. John 3:36 contrasts believing in the Son with rejecting Him.
These warnings must be presented alongside God’s mercy. The purpose of evangelism is not to terrorise people or declare that particular individuals are beyond hope. It is to warn faithfully, point to Christ, and invite people to receive God’s salvation.
7. COMMON EXCUSES UNBELIEVERS GIVE AND BIBLICAL ANSWERS
Excuse 1: “I am a good person.”
Answer: Romans 3:23 teaches that all have sinned. Human goodness cannot replace the need for God’s grace. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Excuse 2: “I will repent when I am old.”
Answer: 2 Corinthians 6:2 calls people to respond to God now. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Excuse 3: “The church is full of hypocrites.”
Answer: The failures of some church members do not cancel the truth of Christ’s gospel. Jesus calls people to follow Him and practise what is right (Matthew 23:1–3; Hebrews 12:2).
Excuse 4: “I have committed too many sins.”
Answer: 1 Timothy 1:15–16 describes Paul’s own testimony of receiving mercy despite his former persecution of the church. No one should assume that their past places them beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Excuse 5: “I will lose my freedom if I become a Christian.”
Answer: Jesus calls people to deny themselves and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Christian discipleship does involve surrender, but it also offers freedom from slavery to sin and a new life in God’s truth (John 8:31–36).
Excuse 6: “God will understand; I can continue living as I please.”
Answer: God’s mercy is not permission to continue deliberately in sin. Romans 6:1–2 asks whether we should continue in sin so that grace may abound, and answers emphatically, “God forbid.”
8. HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH LEAD UNBELIEVERS TO CHRIST?
The church must combine biblical truth with compassion.
- Preach the gospel clearly — explain sin, the cross, the resurrection, repentance, and faith (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
- Demonstrate Christ’s love — serve people, care for the poor, and show kindness (Matthew 5:16).
- Call people to repentance — do not hide the Bible’s message about sin and judgment (Acts 3:19).
- Offer personal prayer and counselling — listen respectfully to people’s questions and struggles.
- Invite a personal response to Christ — allow people to respond sincerely, without threats, manipulation, or coercion.
- Disciple new believers — teach them to pray, study Scripture, fellowship with other believers, and obey Christ (Matthew 28:19–20).
Evangelism is not complete simply because someone raises a hand or repeats a prayer. The church should lovingly help new believers grow in their understanding of Christ and their walk with Him.
9. AN EVANGELISTIC APPEAL: WHY SHOULD YOU DELAY?
Dear friend, God created you for fellowship with Him. Yet sin has affected humanity and separated us from the holiness of God.
You may have money, education, influence, a respected family, or a successful career. You may also have suffered disappointment, rejection, or hardship. None of these things removes your need for reconciliation with God.
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He died for our sins and rose again. Through Him, forgiveness is available, a new life is possible, and the hope of eternal life is offered.
You do not need to pretend that you have never sinned. You do not need to clean up your entire life before approaching Him. Come to Him honestly, repent of your sins, believe the gospel, and begin to follow Him.
The question is not merely whether you belong to a church. The question is whether you have personally responded to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith.
10. PRAYER OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
A person who sincerely wishes to respond to the gospel may pray in words like these:
Heavenly Father, I come before You acknowledging that I am a sinner and that I need Your mercy.
I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that He rose again from the dead.
I repent of my sins and turn away from my old life. Please forgive me, cleanse me, and give me a new heart.
Lord Jesus, I put my trust in You as my Saviour. Help me to surrender my life to You, obey Your Word, and follow You faithfully.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me grow in faith, holiness, love, and obedience.
Thank You for the salvation You offer through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A prayer is not a magical formula. What matters is a sincere response to God in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
11. CONCLUSION: THE CALL OF THE GOSPEL
The central reasons unbelievers should repent and accept Jesus Christ are these:
- Because all have sinned.
- Because sin separates humanity from God.
- Because sin brings judgment.
- Because God loves sinners and has provided a Saviour.
- Because Jesus died and rose again.
- Because forgiveness and reconciliation are available through Him.
- Because Christ offers new life and eternal life.
- Because God calls all people everywhere to repent.
Final Scripture: Acts 3:19
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
The gospel is both a warning and an invitation: a warning about the seriousness of sin and a gracious invitation to receive God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.
Evangelistic closing statement: Do not reject the One who came to save you. Turn from sin, put your faith in Jesus Christ, receive God’s forgiveness, and begin a new life with Him today.