So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Mark 6:7-13

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Mark 6:12-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the fourth and final (of four) division (vv12-13):

•  The title of this division per the commentary: "Go Preaching the Word and Doing the Work of the Kingdom." 
• "[The disciples] were not to compromise their message even if it brought rejection and persecution. They had to have the courage to tell the truth about Jesus and the gospel." 
•  "If “repentance” was the first word out of the mouth of John, Jesus, and the apostles (Acts 2:38), it must be an important component of the gospel and the Christian life." 
• The commentary refers us to Thomas Watson's treatise on repentance - The Doctrine of Repentance - where Watson outlines "six ingredients necessary for true repentance...including sight of sin, sorrow for sin, confession of sin, shame for sin, hatred for sin, and turning from sin and returning to the Lord."  We are further referred to Joel 2:12, Acts 26:20, and Ezekiel 14:6.
• "We are called to turn away from all our abominations—not just the obvious ones or the ones that create friction in others. The goal of repentance is not to manufacture peace among others with perfunctory repentance, but rather to turn to God wholly." 
• "Repentance is rooted in a hatred of sin and a joyful awareness of God’s loving-kindness, which leads to joy: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)."

Indeed Repentance must be stressed as core to the gospel - Satan is waiting to consume and eternally condemn those who do not.  We should be sharing the Gospel as Good News, so good that it should motivate us into the arms of the One True God who offers what no other can - life to the full now and for eternity!

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My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - saving me and all other believers not because of what we have done but because He is SO good.  I am not deserving of my salvation as my sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.