When Leaders Avoid Teaching Repentance and Holiness

There is a growing trend in modern ministry where preachers speak about blessings, destiny, success, and purpose, but rarely mention repentance, holiness, obedience, or transformation. While these positive themes sound good and draw crowds, they cannot replace the foundational message of the Gospel. The Gospel is not simply about feeling better but about becoming new. It calls sinners to turn from sin and follow Christ, not just attend church and chase personal improvement.

Jesus’ message did not begin with comfort. It began with repentance. Scripture says, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Before Jesus healed the sick, multiplied loaves, cast out demons, or taught the crowds, He preached repentance. This is the doorway to salvation, yet many leaders have stopped knocking on it.

John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Christ, carried the same message. He cried, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8). John was not concerned with how popular his preaching was. His concern was that people truly turned from sin and returned to God. This is the same concern true ministers must carry today.

The apostles also continued in this standard. Peter preached repentance on the day of Pentecost, saying, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). The early church was built on a foundation of repentance and holiness, not merely excitement and emotional inspiration.

However, in today’s world many leaders have removed repentance from their message because repentance confronts sin, and confrontation can cause people to leave. So they choose to entertain rather than convict, to affirm rather than correct, and to motivate rather than transform. This creates believers who are stirred emotionally but unchanged spiritually. Paul warned that in the last days many would prefer teachers who accommodate their desires. He wrote, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3).

Holiness has also become a forbidden topic in many ministries. Holiness is not about perfection but separation unto God. The writer of Hebrews declared, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). This scripture reveals the seriousness of holiness. It is not optional. It is the evidence of a transformed believer who truly belongs to Christ.

When repentance and holiness are removed from the Gospel, the door to true salvation closes. People may join churches, serve in ministries, and participate in spiritual activities, yet never turn away from sin. Jesus warned about this condition and said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Mere religious activity without repentance and obedience produces counterfeit Christianity.

A true shepherd will lead people toward righteousness even if it costs him popularity. A wolf will lead people to comfort even if it costs them their souls. This is one of the most critical signs to watch for when discerning spiritual leadership. Does the message lead you away from sin and closer to Christ, or does it leave you unchanged while making you feel spiritually successful?

The Gospel is a call to transformation. It is a call to holiness. It is a call to repentance. Anything less than that is not the Gospel at all.