Mr 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (KJV)
This phrase can be can be further understood by replacing the terms with their Scriptural definitions.
Repent basically means to “Think” differently.
The stated reason for this change of mind is because the kingdom of God/Heaven is at hand or approaching.
Think differently because the Kingdom of God is at hand or available.
The kingdom of God is defined as Righteousness, Joy and Peace in the Holy Spirit in Rm 14:17.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
If righteousness (the ability to be right with God) Joy and peace are near someone then those attributes are available to the individual, but not yet possessed.
The Kingdom of God is the reward for repentance. It is not given without repentance from Unbelief. People must repent and believe the Gospel.
Since God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness (repent) and avoid His wrath (Rm 1:18) it can be seen that unbelievers cannot experience being right with God or being joyful or peaceful in their relations to Him.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
The wrath of God is revealed against “those who hold the truth” in unrighteousness. Unbelievers do not “hold the truth”.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judges. Therefore, put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Unbelievers will eventually “perish” as John 3:16 illustrates, but God does not judge unbelievers the same way that He judges believers who are aware of the truth.
Ro 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Ro 5:13 (YLT) for till law sin was in the world: and sin is not reckoned when there is not law.
God judges us by His law because as Christians we are being taught to deny ungodliness.
Unbelievers have not made a covenant with God, and they have not accepted the terms of that covenant.
This means that unbelievers do not know how to deny ungodliness. This is one of the reasons why there is so much evil in the world. God does not want to destroy worldly people. He wants evil worldly people to repent. For this reason, they are not judged by the same rules as Christians.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
Many people try to find a substitute for the kingdom apart from repentance. This has become commonplace.
Christians need to remember that unbelievers cannot enter the Kingdom of God and experience these things. They may present themselves to others as obedient Christians, but they have not been given the ability to deny ungodliness.
It is denied to them, even though they may think they possess it.
Such people possess a counterfeit “peace with God” produced by means other than “repentance”.
Mt 7:21 ¶ Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
People are encouraged to repent but scripture teaches us that God grants a person repentance (Acts 11:18). Like so much of our spiritual journey, mankind is encouraged to repent, but this can only be accomplished through co-operation between the person and God.
The decision to repent is a person’s response to God. The ability to repent is God’s response to their decision.
God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12) as we humble ourselves before Him (James 4:6). Repentance is then seen to be a learned process which does not necessarily happen instantly.
God’s grace (which teaches us to obey the new covenant/Law) is available to everyone, but God only gives it to those who humble themselves before Him, James 4:6.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
As we become increasingly obedient, we experience more of the Kingdom as Heb 12:2 illustrates.
Ac 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.