Repentance

REPENTANCE - WHAT IS IT?


“When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Acts 11:18


1. The Kingdom of God

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt 4:17

Our Lord sometimes spoke of the new kingdom as already come -- in His own Person and ministry; but it was only "at hand" until the blood of the cross was shed, and the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost opened the cleansing fountain for sin and for uncleanness to the whole world.

“Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31.

Campbell preferred to use the word “reform.” He saw repentance as a “turning away from the world” and turning to God in humble obedience. Some Versions translate it that way.

“But now He commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways.”

John the Baptist spoke of “doing works worthy repentance.” Matt. 3:8-10.


2. Jesus showed us repentance.

Jesus told a parable to demonstrate repentance.

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it (repented) and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?” (Matt. 21:28-31).

Note 2 Cor. 7:10. “For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

Paul shows how this repentance operated in the Corinthians’ lives. “See what God did with this sadness of yours: how earnest it has made you, how eager to prove your innocence! Such indignation, such alarm, such feelings, such readiness to punish wrongdoing! You have shown yourselves to be without fault in the whole matter.”

Repentance is much more than being sorry for sin. There is a “godly sorrow” and a “sorrow of the world.” Note the difference between Peter and Judas in how they reacted to the sorrow for their sin. Peter came to the LORD with sin on his hands and asked for forgiveness - which he received. Judas regretted what he had done, and went out and destroyed himself.

Saul of Tarsus persecuted the Christians. But he did it in ignorance of who Jesus is. “But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13). Saul repented and this changed his whole life.

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the son showed his repentance by saying: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” Luke 15:18-19.

The Prodigal took a good look at where he was and what he had gotten himself into. He had no hope and the only solution he could see was to return to the father. At least as a hired servant he would have food & housing and be able to live.

But the father was waiting for him! He ran out to meet the prodigal who was bringing himself back home. Jesus shows us how willing God is to forgive us and save us! God still loves us!!! God eagerly waits for us to come to Him!!!

The Church at Laodicea was spiritually dead but there was still hope. The Lord said: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous (earnest) and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the [Holy] Spirit says to the churches.” Rev. 3:19.

“If You, LORD, should mark our iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.” Psalm 130:3-4.