The Need For Repentance

From what I read here and there on the Internet, people, myself included, don't mention the need for repentance nearly enough when talking about the gospel. However, Jesus makes a solid point about it:

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mar 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Jesus' disciples made a point about it too:

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

So when we share the good news, let's not forget that repentance is a part of it -- we can't just turn to Jesus without turning from something. What is that something? That something is sin.

We have to admit that we're sinners. We have to hate sin. We have to abandon sin. Jesus will help us do these things as we turn to Him, and that is a whole lot better than being a fake Christian who says with his lips something contrary to what is in his heart.