Steps To True Repentance [5]

 

Godly sorrow [for sin] worketh repentance to salvation.  

2 Corinthians 7:10

Hebrews 6:1-3 lists principles of the doctrine of Christ on which a believer is to build his spiritual life. These principles are called the "foundations" of the Christian faith. They’re the basic doctrines on which the Christian faith rests. The first of these principles is "repentance from dead works.”  Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  And this will we do, if God permit.  Hebrews 6:1-3

It’s a foundational principle that we must know and live.  Just a little recap – we’ve covered the basic meaning of the word "repentance" as a change in mind which results in a change in outward actions.  Examples given were the account of King David and the parable of the prodigal son.  There’s 2 traps we don’t want to get caught in:

First, we covered how some people associate repentance with emotions, like shedding tears and feeling sorry for wrong actions and thoughts. But repentance is not an emotion. It’s a decision.   Emotion sometimes accompanies true repentance. But it’s possible for a person to feel great emotion and to shed many tears and yet never truly repent. 

Secondly, other people associate repentance with meeting special religious requirements. For instance, in some denominations, this is sometimes called "doing penance.” There again, it’s possible to fulfill many such religious requirements and yet never repent in the true Biblical sense.  True repentance is a change of mind that results in a change in outward actions. Outward change is the act of turning away from sin towards God and righteousness. This "turning away" shows the inward change of mind which has occurred.

To summarize: Biblical repentance is an inner change of heart and mind resulting in an outward turning away from sin to move towards God and righteousness.

There are some passages in the Bible where the word "repent" is used in a way to demonstrate Ineffective Repentance.  For example:

JUDAS:  Judas Iscariot realized Jesus had been condemned to death. He repented of his part in betraying Christ:  Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood...  Matthew 27:3-4

Judas experienced sorrow over what he had done but he did not experience true biblical repentance. He did not make a decision which resulted in change in his actions.  He confessed before man but never confessed before God; never asked God’s forgiveness and in the end, hung himself.

ESAU:  Esau was another man who made this tragic error. Esau sinned by selling his God-given birthright for a bowl of soup. The Bible records:

. . .ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:17

Esau exchanged his birthright for a bowl of soup. In doing so, he rejected all the blessings and promises of God associated with the birthright.  Later, Esau regretted what he had done. He cried aloud and shed bitter tears. But strong emotion is not proof of repentance. Esau did not truly repent. He was just regretted he had lost the birthright and wished he could have it back. His "repentance" was not acceptable because there’s a difference between regret and true repentance.

If we’re to fully understand the meaning of repentance, we must understand what it is from which we are to repent. We have to understand "dead works.” "Dead works" are the actions of a life lived apart from God. These works may be wrong deeds or acts of self-righteousness.  They’re called "sin" in the Bible. The basic thing that causes sin is selfishness. It’s the love of self as opposed to the love of God. This love of self results in man going "his own way":

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way. . . Isaiah 53:6

But all is not lost.  Jesus died for the sins of men in order that...

. . .they should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

When we repent from these dead works of selfishness it means we acknowledge the existence of the one true God, realize we are a sinner, we ask forgiveness of our sin, and accept God's plan of salvation through Jesus.

We have to understand that Satan is responsible for all evil in the world. His rebellion towards God still continues as he tempts man to sin. There is a constant battle in the spirit world for the hearts, minds, and souls of men.  Each person has inherited the basic sin nature. Each person sins individually when he is drawn by this sinful nature to rebel against God:

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it’s finished, bringeth forth death.  James 1:14-15

The bible says . . . all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [Romans 3:23] but God has provided a way to escape the penalties of sin. Through repentance from dead works and accepting Jesus as our personal Savior we can be "saved" from the penalties of sin.

Beloved, we must know and believe that willful sin is NEVER, under any circumstance, acceptable to God.  Apostle Paul wanted his audience in Roman to understand this.  He starts by asking the question:

"Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?"  He answered his own question with "God forbid! "  Romans 6:1-2

So, what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep extending grace? I should hope not! We don’t know when grace will be cut off!  If we’ve left the kingdom where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?  

Let’s look at it this way, this is what happens in baptism. When we’re submerged in the water, we leave the old kingdom of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new kingdom of righteousness — a new life in a new land!

That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we’re lowered into the water, it’s like the burial of Jesus; when we’re raised up out of the water, it’s like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our heavenly Father so that we can see where we’re going in our new grace-sovereign country.  The deed to our old habitat should have been released as we were submerged and then re-emerged as a new creature.  Unfortunately, some hang onto the deed and go back to visit the old place.  

I’m reminded of Lot’s wife who had to have one last look and that last look cost her her life; just couldn’t resist one last look at her old life – the one that God had saved her from.  [Genesis 19]

As believers in God who have accepted Jesus into our life, when we sin, we must repent. There are many examples in the bible of this.  The believers in Corinth had to repent:  

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.  2 Corinthians 7:9

What was it that the Corinthian Christians had to repent of? Take your pick! It could have been any number of things, but no doubt it also included this:   There were probably some “anti-Paul” people who criticized the absent apostle severely and unfairly, and the Corinthians did not defend their godly spiritual father before these detractors.  

For I am afraid that when I come, I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure. 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

ü   The believers at Ephesus were told to repent:

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works. Revelation 2:5

ü Christians in Pergamos were told to repent:

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  Revelation 2:16

ü The Christians in Sardis were told: 

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Revelation 3:3

ü This is what the Christians in Laodicea were told: 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; Be zealous therefore, and repent.  Revelation 3:19

God had something with all of these churches and this despite any good they were doing.  Is there unconfessed sin in your life? Just know that wherever there is sin, there must be repentance:  

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. 1 John 1:8-9

Because repentance is necessary for salvation, God made a special plan to enable the message of repentance to reach everyone. The call to repentance in the New Testament began with the ministry of John the Baptist:  

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way the Lord, make His path straight.  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  Mark 1:3-4

Repentance was the first message Jesus preached:  

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.  Mark 1:14-15

Repentance was preached by believers in the early Church:

And they went out and preached that men should repent.   Mark 6:12

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:21

Today, believers still have the responsibility to spread the message of repentance throughout the world. Jesus gave final instructions to His followers that...

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47

When we preach the message of repentance, we’re actually calling others to enlist in God's army.  Are you willing to make a commitment to start drafting others into this great spiritual army?

If we have accepted and are committed to the harvest, then we must know how men are persuaded to repent. Men repent because of:

v   The goodness of God:  

The blessings of God in the life of an ungodly person are not to be mistaken as God's approval of their life style. The goodness of God is one way the Lord appeals to men to turn to Him.  We can’t get this thing twisted; His kindness is intended to turn us from our sin?

Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?   Romans 2:4

v   Men repent because of:  Preaching/Teaching:  

The preaching of the Word of God causes men to repent. The preaching of Jonah resulted in the whole city of Nineveh repenting:

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas.    Matthew 12:41

v   Men repent because of:  God the son; Jesus:   

As the Word of God is preached/taught, people hear and respond to the call of Jesus which leads to repentance:

I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.   Matthew 9:13

v   Men repent because of:  God, the father:  

Jesus said no one could come to Him except the Father draw him. God draws men to repentance:

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.  John 6:44

v   Men repent because of:  Rebuke:  

Rebuke causes men to repent. Rebuke is correction given from the Word of God:

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3

v   Men repent because of:  Godly sorrow:  

Repentance may be accompanied by emotion. Natural emotion alone is not true repentance, but Godly sorrow leads to true repentance.  Repentance is not just something we do for the sake of doing it.  In the first act of repentance, sinful men turn from wrong to right, accept the Gospel message, and become true believers in Jesus Christ. In the process of going on to perfection, a believer sometimes falls back into the old patterns of sinful behavior. According to the Biblical record, whenever believers sin, they must also repent.  The Bible identifies several things associated with repentance:

Faith towards God is associated with repentance. It’s listed in Hebrews 6 as the second foundational principle of the Christian faith. Repentance from dead works must be combined with faith towards God which is the 2nd foundational principle found in Hebrews 6:1-3.

. . .Repent ye, and believe the Gospel. Mark 1:15

. . .Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  Acts 20:21

Secondly, The works of man, which the Bible also calls fruit, testify as to whether or not there has been true repentance:

The Gentiles should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Acts 26:20

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.  Matthew 3:8

"Works" and "fruits" both refer to outward behavior which should change after true repentance.

So, I ask you today at the close of this lesson, what type of fruit are you exhibiting that demonstrates true repentance?  I pray this word helped someone today . . .

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