Quote from Forum Archives on March 5, 2004, 9:52 am

Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>

                           Left Handed or Right Handed?

                                http://www.folsom.sk.ca/lr

 

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                           WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

 

     Some people came to Jesus questioning him about two groups of
people that had suffered great tragedies. These Jews held the idea
that their deaths were a direct result of sins which they committed.
Jesus answered their question saying, "I tell ye nay, but except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Lk 13:1-5).  Both John the
baptist and Jesus preached that men should repent because the kingdom
of heaven was at hand  (Matt 3:1-2, Matt 4:17).  As Jesus sent out the
twelve they went out and preached that men should repent  (Mark 6:12).
Just before Jesus ascended back into heaven he commissioned his apostles
saying, "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached among all
nations"  (Lk 24:46-47).  Repentance is a part of the gospel
message.  The rule is that people are going to perish.  The
exception is that those who repent will avoid perishing.   

 

     It is necessary for each of us to know the true meaning of
repentance to avoid perishing.  W.E. Vine in his expository of New
Testament words defines repentance as follows:  "To change one's
mind or purpose, always in the New Testament, involving a change
for the better, an amendment.  In the new Testament the subject
chiefly has reference to repentance from sin, and this change of
mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God."  Some
believe that godly sorrow is repentance, but the Bible teaches that
just being sorry is not enough.  For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of
this world worketh death (2 Cor 7:10).  Being sorry before God for
sins will lead a person to repent.  Repentance is beyond or
different than sorrow.  Judas Iscariot is an example of the sorrow
of this world.  He lived to regret his part in the death of Jesus,
but rather than genuine repentance he committed self murder (Matt
27:3-5).  Contrast this with Peter's regret (godly sorrow) which
brought about a change (Lk 22:61-62).

 

     One part of the definition of repentance was to have a change
of mind.  This is exemplified by the man who had two sons.  He came
to the first and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard.  He
answered and said, I will not; but afterward he REPENTED, and went
(Matt 21:28-29).  At first this son was unwilling to obey his
father.  Later he had a change of mind (repented) and he went.

 

     Jesus taught that the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching
of Jonah (Lk 11:32).  Whatever these people did when Jonah preached
to them is called repentance by the Son of God.  Jonah preached
that in 40 days Nineveh would be overthrown.  First the men of
Nineveh believed God and second they turned from their evil way
(Jonah 3:1-10).  Only those who truly believe and respect God will
repent.  God's law is the standard of conduct both toward God and
our fellow man.  When we find ourselves in opposition to God by
transgression it is either REPENT or PERISH.  Repent ye therefore
and be converted that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19).
WHO IS TO REPENT?  The New Testament clearly teaches that ALL MEN
must repent.  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; BUT
NOW COMMANDETH ALL MEN EVERY WHERE TO REPENT (Acts 17:30-31).  The
Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).
This corresponds with Paul's letter to the Romans where he said
that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).
Since all have sinned, all need to repent.  There will not be one
accountable person in heaven who has not repented.  Paul testified
to both the Jews and Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). 

 

     Included in all men would be those who are lost sinners
outside of Christ.  These individuals have not obeyed the gospel
and thus are not Christians.  Peter preached the gospel to the Jews
of Judea and Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the
resurrection of our Lord.  After convicting them of murdering the
Son of God they cried out "Men and brethren what shall we do?"
Then Peter said unto them, REPENT and BE BAPTIZED every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:37-
38).  One condition of salvation from sin is that a person must
repent.  Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be
blotted out (Acts 3:19).  Peter to the Jewish Christians at
Jerusalem rehearsed how he had taken the gospel to Cornelius and
his household.  Their reply was, "Then hath God also to the
Gentiles granted repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18).  The apostle
Paul began preaching the gospel immediately after he obeyed the
gospel.  Paul said he shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the
Gentiles, that they should REPENT and TURN TO GOD, and do works
meet for repentance (Acts 26:20).  If you are not a Christian you
must repent or perish.  Your sins have separated between you and
God.  You are guilty before him.  If you believe God and have come
to regret your sins why not repent, obey the gospel, and turn to
God in faithful service.  It's either this or perish.

 

     Another class of people included in all men are Christians.
The Bible teaches that Christians fail and make mistakes.  If we
say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in
us...If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his
word is not in us (I John 1:8, 10).  Christians are not supposed to
sin (I John 2:1) but we do.  When a Christian sins he or she must
REPENT or PERISH.  Simon the sorcerer obeyed the gospel and became
a Christian in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5, 12, 13).  Later he
sinned and his heart was not right in God's sight (v. 21).  This
erring Christian was told to repent and pray God for forgiveness
(Acts 8:22).  Paul mentioned that there were Christians in Corinth
who were guilty of uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness and
had not yet REPENTED of such (2 Cor 12:21).  When a Christian sins
it is either REPENT or PERISH.

 

     At times even churches get into a condition of sin and must
repent.  God had John write to the church at Ephesus and tell them
what he had against them.  Remember therefore from whence thou art
fallen, and REPENT, and do the first works; or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove the candlestick out of his
place, except thou repent (Rev 2:1, 4, 5).  Five of the seven
churches in Asia Minor were told to repent in Revelation chapters
two and three.  Churches that refused to repent would have their
candlestick removed.  God would no longer walk among them and claim
them for his own.  A church that finds itself in direct opposition
to God in doctrine, work, worship, or organization must REPENT or
PERISH.
                    WORKS MEET FOR REPENTANCE

 

     True Bible repentance will always result in a change.  John the
baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees to bring forth fruits meet
for repentance (Matt 3:8).  Paul preached that men should repent and
turn to God, and do works meet for repentance (Acts 26:20).  The
sinner who truly repents will turn from his sin, obey the gospel,
and live faithfully toward God.  The Christian who sins, regrets it,
and repents, will make whatever changes needed to correct the evil
he or she has done.

 

     Some contend that a person can sin against another, repent,
but never say anything to that brother.  My position would be that
we can never commit any sin that does not need to be confessed.  If
we sin privately against God, repentance and confession of sin are
necessary.  Simon was told to repent and pray God for forgiveness
(Acts 8:22).  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.  if we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness (I John 1:8-9).  Even in private sin that is just
between us and God; the Christian must say something to the one
sinned against.  He must confess that wrong to God.

 

     In the matter of sinning against another individual we are
told to say something, Take heed to yourselves:  If thy brother
trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven
times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt
forgive him (Lk 17:3-4).  How could my brother forgive me if I am
not willing to repent and ask his forgiveness?  When the prodigal
son returned to his father he said, "Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy
son" (Lk 15:21).  This father was not left to wonder what was in
this son's heart.  All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God
(Rom 3:23).  Those sins will remain on our account until we repent.
I tell you nay, but except you repent, you will perish.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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