What does it mean to be Repent? LUKE 15:7
The result of repentance is freedom from the condemnation of sin and joy from a pure conscience before God.
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
Even now, God is calling both believers and unbelievers to repentance that they might turn from their sin and experience the riches of His goodness and mercy......
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| Repentance |
- When Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God his first words were (Mathew 4:17 "REPENT: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand")
- Jesus was not requesting Repentance but He was commanding it. Indeed God commands people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30) because repenting is prerequisite to entering the Kingdom of God.
- Those who do not repent will perish in their sins. (Luke 13:3 "I tell you, nay;but,except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish")
- Those who justify their sin by saying they will simply repent afterwards do not understand Repentance.
- REPANTANCE is not penance (Humiliation) for guilt or a quick prayer for forgiveness.
- Repentance is a complete brokenness, a change of heart, and a detest of one's sin. (Ezekiel 18:30 "Therefore I will judge you according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent and turn yourselves from all your transgressions so iniquity(sin) shall not be your ruin")
- Those who sin willfully, knowing the commandment of God, risk the enslavement by their sin and the very real possibility is they will not be able to repent (Hebrews 6:4-6)
- An example is Esau who sold his birthright to Jacob for some bread and a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:34)
- Another example is Judas who betrayed Jesus, regretted his actions but found no way out:(Mathew 27:3-5)
- And Jesus’ words in (John 17:12) tell us that Judas would be lost and not be saved confirming (Hebrews 6:4-6) that those who have tested the things of he spirit it’s hard for them to repent when there are now lost.
- True Repentance mean grieving over our sin (which God hates) and coming to realization that it is our sins that put Christ on the cross for our sakes.
- The Bible calls this godly-sorrow, and it leads to salvation (II Corinthians 7:10).
- People have to first realize the condemnation of his sin otherwise he will not see the need for a savior.
- If a person understand this then they would know that they where saved from death and hell by the blood of the lamb who is Christ and they would appreciate that and avoid sinning so that He is not crucified again.
- Repentance is a change of mind.
- When a person changes his mind about sin then a change in behavior will naturally result.
- For example, those who repented in the old testament often showed outwards evidence by tearing down idolatrous statues (Mathew 11:20-21; Mark 1:4 and Acts 19:19).
The result of repentance is freedom from the condemnation of sin and joy from a pure conscience before God.
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).
Even now, God is calling both believers and unbelievers to repentance that they might turn from their sin and experience the riches of His goodness and mercy......
