REPENTANCE
In the previous blog we learned that God provided salvation for all people through the atoning death of Christ. His death on the Cross met every need of sinful man and offers him the privilege to live an abundant life, have the peace of God and overwhelming joy and finally eternal life. But for the process of salvation to begin, man must respond to God’s offer, and this response begins with repentance. Repentance is an absolute condition of salvation.
Luke 13:2-5 (NKJV):
2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Mark 1:15 (ESV):
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[a] repent and believe in the gospel.”
Repentance combined with faith produces conversion.
- Repentance is the process whereby a sinner recognizes his sins, feels very sorry about them, turns from and gives them up completely. (Luke. 15:11-20).
A person who repents has had a change of mind and heart. He has recognized his errors and short-comings and he is sincerely sorry for them and is willing to forsake them. He now demonstrates a different attitude towards God and sin (1 1 1Thess. 1:9; Acts. 14:13-15; 26:18).
- Repentance and Restitution.
In Lk. 3:3-18; John the Baptist preached the Good News to the people and urged them to change their ways. In verse 8, he urged them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Here John was asking for evidence, which would prove that their repentance was genuine. Paying back what we have wrongfully taken, or making right a wrong we have done is called restitution. Restitution is a principle which was introduced in the Old Testament law (Exodus 22:1; Leviticus. 6:5; Numbers. 5:6-7)
Restitution is a visible evidence of our decision to turn from sin to Christ. It backs up our testimony that we are following a new master. Although restitution is not a means of salvation, it is a healthy indication that we have experienced God’s saving grace (Luke. 19:2-10).
New Testament Emphasis on Repentance.
The Bible declares that repentance is the first step a sinner must take as he returns to God (Ezekiel. 14:6; 18:30; Malachi. 3:7; Luke. 13:3,5).
Without repentance no one can be saved. Thus, the plea to repent is primary in God’s call to people in both Old and New Testaments.
The compelling and urgent plea of the Old Testament Prophets ending with Malachi was received in the powerful message of repentance proclaimed by John the Baptist (Matthew. 3:2, 8:11, Mark. 1:4, Luke. 3:3,8).
Jesus began His ministry in Galilee with the same message of repentance (Matt. 4:14; Mk. 1:15; 11:21-22; Matt. 12:41; Mk. 6:12).
One of the commandments Jesus gave before He returned to heaven was that repentance and forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations (Lk. 24:47; Acts. 1:8).
Christ’s apostles took it up from the day of Pentecost (Acts. 2:38, 3:19). Peter in his sermon made it clear that God’s intention for all sinners in repentance
(2 Peter. 3:9).
Paul preached repentance everywhere he went for missionary work (Acts. 17:30-31; 20:21).
The How Of Repentance.
God’s mercy and kindness toward sinners (Rom. 2:4).
Through the ministry of the Word of God in general. When Jonah preached God’s Word to the people of Nineveh, they believed it and gave up their wicked behavior and evil actions (Jonah. 3:4, 8, 10).
The preaching of the Cross produces repentance. The message of God’s love demonstrated at the cross moves people greatly.
A fresh vision of God also brings repentance. When Job saw the majesty of God revealed to him, he despised himself and repented (Job 42:1-6).
Some times trouble, sickness or tragedies help us to recognize our need of God (Lk. 5:17-20; Rev. 3:19).
The Necessity of Repentance.
God through His Word commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts. 17:30; Ezk. 18:30-31; Matt. 4:17; Mark. 1:15; Lk. 3:3-5; Acts. 3:19)
Unrepentant heart not willing to forsake sin separates people from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Heb. 12:14)
Repentance is essential to enter heaven (Rev. 22:15, 21:8, 27).
Repentance is necessary to receive mercy at the judgment throne of God. For every sin not confessed must be accounted for on the Day of Judgment (Acts. 17:30-31; Heb. 9:27; 2Cor. 5:10)
The Result of Repentance.
It produces joy in the heart of the sinner and put joy in heaven as the angels of God rejoices over one sinner that repents (Lk. 15:10)
It opens the door that leads to faith and the forgiveness of sins.
- It brings healing, restoration and blessings to the person (Job 42:10-17; Jonah 2:1-10; 2 Chronicles. 7:13-14).
Joel 2:12 (KJV)
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
*Zechariah 1:1-6 (KJV):
1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
2 The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.
4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.
5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?
6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
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There is one thing for being sorry for what you did it is asking for forgiveness and then repenting of those sins by turning away from them and pointing ourselves back to God!