“…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” -Mark 1:15 KJV
What is the Kingdom of God? Jesus says when starting His public ministry, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). What does He mean the Kingdom of God? Jesus defines this for us in this passage: repent and believe in the gospel.
In the Old Covenant, God gave his people rules to show them His own righteousness and their wickedness. This was the Law. The Law crushes and condemns the human spirit. In Christ’s advent He shows us how to receive the benefits He obtained through defeating the Law that condemns and crushes. This victory over death is received through repentance which has two parts: contrition and faith.
The first part of repentance is contrition or sorrow over the sins that cling so closely to the human heart. The second part of repentance is faith, which is a trust in Christ’s atoning life. Through faith this righteousness is attributed to us and grows in us so that we may be saved and become perfect like He is perfect.
“…the first part of repentance originates in the preaching of the Law, as with a hammer, the heart is shattered. The other element of repentance, namely true faith in Christ, originates in the preaching of the Gospel, and the shattered heart once again is lifted up.”
-Johann Gerhard, Lutheran Theologian
The second part of the Kingdom is the Gospel itself. This is everything that Christ has done in this world and what He has promised that He will do. He was born to a virgin, lived a perfect life, and was sacrificed for our sins. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will come again to judge the living and the dead. These two parts, repentance and belief in the Gospel encompass the whole Kingdom of God.
May we all find our way through repentance and faith into His blessed Kingdom this Advent!
“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us. Amen.” – The Book of Common Prayer 2019
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