Fight for freedom

"repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth" Luke 7:29-30 gives us a clear example of this with it telling us the pharisees couldn't accept what Jesus said because they were not baptized with John's baptism which was a baptism of repentance that had them confessing sins as they were dunked in the river

2 Timothy 2
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Mark 1
4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

The whole point in John making a way for the Lord was to get the people to confess their sins because again like Matthew 13:14-15 means God blinds the eyes until they "understand with their heart and return". You must want to forsake sin and love God to be able to accept Jesus. We are in a generation where people say they accept Jesus but refuse his words like those who believe in "self defense" and its because Jesus was never appointed to them. This is how you spot the "few" who are on the narrow path by if they do Jesus teachings and abide in him which is impossible without the holy spirit in you.

Isaiah 59
20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the Lord.

Jesus is for those who turn away from disobedience towards God. Step 1 is to repent. God blinds the eyes of those in sin until they repent and plead to him this is what Matthew 13:14-15 means. You must use the law to those under the law to show them they have failed God so they repent and plead to him and be born again under the law of liberty.

James 4
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Psalm 78
21 Therefore the Lord heard and was full of wrath;
And a fire was kindled against Jacob
And anger also mounted against Israel,
22 Because they did not believe in God
And did not trust in His salvation.

Do not put your hope in anyone but God. Do not try to be friends with the world if you are in Christ this is not your home. You should be preaching to the lost souls to find their way home with God in heaven. Nothing in this world matters but the people. Help them understand to turn away from their wicked ways to be saved

Ecclesiastes 5
15 As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.

2 John 1
9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

James 1
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Philippians 4
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Titus 1
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

1 John 2
4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

"and to those who do not obey the gospel " meaning people who know God and the gospel but do not obey it. You cant just say Jesus is Lord and go about life as normal the people Jesus says begone to literally say 'Lord Lord" they are calling Jesus Lord but being rejected by him. You must believe in your heart and that belief will produce fruit of doing what Jesus taught

2 Thessalonians 1
8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.