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Repentance


RETIREDFAN1

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Repentance:  Fallen on Hard Times

 

We know that the denominations and false teachers have certainly muddied the waters on many things that God requires of us. However, if people will step back, clear away any preconceived notions or previous teachings, and look specifically at what the Bible says, they will see what the Bible clearly teaches. This should be how we approach studying every Bible subject. In reality it’s often easier to teach than it is to un-teach. When you are trying to teach someone and they say, “I see what that passage says, BUT…”, that is a signal that the person needs to be un-taught some false doctrine or preconceived notion. 

 

The most common topic that we face this in is the topic of baptism. There is much false teaching about baptism that has to be overcome and un-taught before we can get people to see that God requires it if we are to be saved. However, baptism isn’t the ONLY topic that seems to have fallen on hard times. Today we are going to look at another Bible teaching that has fallen on hard times in these last few years. That is the topic of repentance. 





 

Like baptism, repentance is explicitly required if we are going to be saved. Notice the very first words of Jesus' public work recorded for us in Matthew.

Matthew 4: 17

 

He made sure it was an important teaching when He sent out the 12.

Mark 6: 12

 

The Gentile’s repentance is the conclusion following Peter’s explanation of events that surrounded the conversion of Cornelius. 

Acts 11: 18

 

Repentance was taught after Jesus rose from the dead and before He ascended. 

Luke 24: 44 - 47

 

Repentance is the proper response to God’s goodness.

Romans 2: 4

 

It is the result of Godly sorrow. 

II Corinthians 7: 10

 

It is commanded by God.

Acts 17: 30

 

It is necessary for us to repent if we are to avoid everlasting punishment. 

Luke 13: 3

 

Part of our required response to the Gospel once we have heard and believed is to repent. 

Acts 2: 38

 

All Christians and most in denominations know that repentance is demanded, but a lot don’t know what repentance actually is. To repent means to change your mind or purpose for the better. It means putting off the old and renewing your mind by putting on the new.

Ephesians 4: 22 - 24

 

It is a change in mind, attitude, determination, purpose, and focus that results in a change of action. It results in a changed life, a new life. 

Romans 6: 4

 

In other words, when you repent, you live a life that demonstrates that you have repented. 

Matthew 3: 7 - 8

 

However, we must know some things that repentance is not. Repentance is not living a life of perfection.

I John 1: need10

John wrote this letter to those who were already obedient Christians. He includes himself in that category. We know that John was an inspired apostle of Christ. So was Peter. That didn’t keep them from sinning.

Galatians 2: 11 - 14

 

We are not inspired apostles. If they could sin, we will most definitely sin. Therefore, we see that repentance is not a complete avoidance of sin. It is the desire to avoid sin. However, we must understand that we will never achieve this and will always fall short. If we could live without sin, we wouldn’t need Christ’s sacrifice for us. We will never find ourselves in a situation of no longer needing His sacrifice. 

I John 1: 7

 

Repentance is an ongoing process that begins when we decide to obey the Gospel. Repentance should never have an ending point.

I Timothy 2: 3 - 4

 

Coming to the knowledge means that as we continue to learn and grow, we must continue to make adjustments and corrections. That’s ongoing repentance as shown in the record of Simon.

Acts 8: 22


 

True repentance is not readily taught by those in today's society. It has fallen on hard times today. There are those who teach a message of salvation without repentance. That false doctrine says that God will save you regardless of what you do or do not do. They will tell you to just continue down the same path you are on and everything will be fine. Notice, though, what God teaches.

I Corinthians 6: 9 - 11

 

Notice the past tense. The Corinthians had to get out of those sinful lifestyles. They had to repent. They had to make some changes. 

 

Many in today’s society would have told them to just keep on like they were. Even some who teach the importance of baptism have started to minimize or even omit completely the absolute necessity of repentance. Some teach to the effect that you must be baptized, but you don’t have to repent.They teach that the baptism washes the sins you’ve committed away, which it does. However they also say that we don’t have to repent. They miss the logical conclusion from their false doctrine. If someone does not repent, the sin continues. Sin is still sin. What was sin before baptism is still sin after baptism. If we are involved in a lifestyle that does not conform to God’s guidelines, we need to repent, we need to turn, we need to change.


 

Now repentance doesn’t imply a singular point in time. Repentance may be something that you develop over time. That requires effort and patience with yourself and with others. An alcoholic or drug addict who obeys the Gospel won’t be able to stop cold turkey. It requires effort and determination. The mindset to turn must be there. The actions, though, may not come immediately. The actions may not always appear consistently. That is why we need to maintain a penitent mind and heart. That is why we always need the continued forgiveness we have through Christ. 

 

The key to repentance is understanding and applying that understanding in a balanced way. We need to understand that we worship and serve a God of love, mercy, and grace. God is willing to forgive. Yet repentance on our part is a required element. On one hand we need to have a strong desire to avoid sin completely.

I John 2: 1

 

On the other hand, we need to recognize that we will fall flat on our faces and fail miserably at doing that very thing. That is why we need Jesus as our advocate. That is why we are always dependent on His Blood. 




 

It matters how we live our lives. We are not to live a lifestyle of sin. However, we will continue to have sin in our life along the way. Anyone who claims that they do not, is clearly called a liar by God in I John 1. The fact that we will fail miserably is why we need Jesus every step of the way. His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness. 

II Corinthians 12: 9




 

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