Repent. To changes one mind or behavior.

[Michael]

The Biblical meaning of "Repent" seems to stir up passions quite often.
Let's look at a practical application -

If a “saved” person in the church involved with fornication – such as a sexual relationship of any kind without being married – is convicted by the Holy Spirit of their behavior, and sees in the Word our Lord’s command to “repent”… what do you believe is the proper response?

1) To ‘think differently’ about their sinful behavior while continuing in it, believing the ‘Blood’ covers them, or God ‘sees them through Christ’,

or

2) To heed the Word to “turn from our wicked ways”, actually “strive against sin to the shedding of our blood", and try with all our being to do as Jesus commanded and “stop sinning”?

Which do you believe God counts as “repentance”?

"There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had [a]mingled with their sacrifices. 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.” - Luke 13:1-5

 

[Josiah]

Good point, Michael.


The word means to turn around or turn away. I think too many think the word means "remorse" but while that's probably included, that's not what it means. Your DOG feels remorse. Remorse is just an emotional FEELING. Probably very dude in prison feels remorse, if only for getting caught.


I've heard this... that Repentance includes 4 steps:
1. Realizing we have violated GOD'S wise will and that God's will IS required.
2. Stop
3. Turn to God's "mercy seat"
4. Walking in His way.

No one is able to do this perfectly.... and an unbeliever, an unregnerate person can't do it at all since all this requires knowing and loving God, having faith, looking to God's mercy and having God's Holy Spirit. God calls all to repentance because we all sin... and all 4 points are important. But only those with the Holy Spirit (and the knowledge and faith He supplies) will do so, however incompletely.







.

 

[Lamb]

The Biblical meaning of "Repent" seems to stir up passions quite often.
Let's look at a practical application -

If a “saved” person in the church involved with fornication – such as a sexual relationship of any kind without being married – is convicted by the Holy Spirit of their behavior, and sees in the Word our Lord’s command to “repent”… what do you believe is the proper response?

1) To ‘think differently’ about their sinful behavior while continuing in it, believing the ‘Blood’ covers them, or God ‘sees them through Christ’,

or

2) To heed the Word to “turn from our wicked ways”, actually “strive against sin to the shedding of our blood", and try with all our being to do as Jesus commanded and “stop sinning”?

Which do you believe God counts as “repentance”?

"There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had [a]mingled with their sacrifices. 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.” - Luke 13:1-5

This is where the proper distinction between Law and Gospel is critical.

When a person is content in his sins then the Law should be preached to that person that his soul is in danger. Why is he in danger? Because scripture tells us that man can fall from faith and reject the forgiveness that comes from the cross when he insists he doesn't need that forgiveness and prefers his sin.

The Law accuses men of their sin. Once convicted by the Holy Spirit then it's the Gospel that needs to be preached to the man to give him the forgiveness that was won at the cross so that man's faith can be strengthened unto salvation. Should the man stop his sin? Yes. But it's not the stopping of that sin that gives him eternal life. It's the Savior and the forgiveness that comes from the cross because that's how man was reconciled to God. Not man's efforts.

 

[Michael]

This is where the proper distinction between Law and Gospel is critical.

When a person is content in his sins then the Law should be preached to that person that his soul is in danger. Why is he in danger? Because scripture tells us that man can fall from faith and reject the forgiveness that comes from the cross when he insists he doesn't need that forgiveness and prefers his sin.

The Law accuses men of their sin. Once convicted by the Holy Spirit then it's the Gospel that needs to be preached to the man to give him the forgiveness that was won at the cross so that man's faith can be strengthened unto salvation. Should the man stop his sin? Yes. But it's not the stopping of that sin that gives him eternal life. It's the Savior and the forgiveness that comes from the cross because that's how man was reconciled to God. Not man's efforts.

Truthfully, whether we are under Law or Grace (and actually Grace did not cancel out God's Eternal Law), the command and necessity for Repentance is identical. The 'saved' and 'forgiven' person sitting in church who fails to repent and turn from their sins "will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God." Oh, yes, indeed, our efforts greatly determine our Eternal destiny.

Remember the man who was forgiven and freed, yet didn't behave properly, whom the Master took back His forgiveness and sent the man into prison til he could repay? Jesus said God will do the same.
I'm sorry if this offends most church-goers... but apart from our obedience and righteous works we will not inherit the Kingdom of God. I'd list Scripture to back this up... but there isn't enough space to post the entire New Testament here! :bible: :ange06:

 

[Lamb]

Minimizing sin leads people to think that they can do something they cannot which is to make themselves holy and perfectly obey God's holy law. You sin every day when 1) You don't love God with all your heart every moment of your life 2) You don't love your neighbor as yourself every moment of your life.

You simply cannot perfectly obey that and you sin when you fail to do it.

If you insist that you DO love God with your heart every moment of your life and you love your neighbor as yourself every moment of your life then you deceive yourself and the truth is not in you.

Now. Who will reconcile you to God since you cannot perfectly obey what God demands from you? Jesus. Believe in Him for eternal life. That's repentance. Not looking back to yourself to try to do the impossible.

 

[Lamb]

https://christianityhaven.com/showthread.php?8387-True-Repentance-and-Obedience-Look-to-the-Lord

 

[Michael]

Minimizing sin leads people to think that they can do something they cannot which is to make themselves holy and perfectly obey God's holy law. You sin every day when 1) You don't love God with all your heart every moment of your life 2) You don't love your neighbor as yourself every moment of your life.

You simply cannot perfectly obey that and you sin when you fail to do it.

If you insist that you DO love God with your heart every moment of your life and you love your neighbor as yourself every moment of your life then you deceive yourself and the truth is not in you.

Now. Who will reconcile you to God since you cannot perfectly obey what God demands from you? Jesus. Believe in Him for eternal life. That's repentance. Not looking back to yourself to try to do the impossible.

Any definition one has of "repentance" MUST fit the uses of the word in the Scripture.
The definition you state above doesn't fit any Biblical use of the term, especially Luke 13:1-5, where our Lord is telling us that our behavior directly effects whether we will live or perish.

Again, I believe you are sincere in what you believe, what you have been taught by other men in the past. My aim is to please God and what His Spirit have commissioned me to do; which is to warn those who have been "saved" and "forgiven of past sins" that unless we "walk worthy" and "overcome" by "repentance" and "obedience" we will miss out and, as Paul states clearly throughout his letters, "not inherit the Kingdom."

In the end, only the Word will stand.
Amen.

 

[Lamb]

Any definition one has of "repentance" MUST fit the uses of the word in the Scripture.
The definition you state above doesn't fit any Biblical use of the term, especially Luke 13:1-5, where our Lord is telling us that our behavior directly effects whether we will live or perish.

Again, I believe you are sincere in what you believe, what you have been taught by other men in the past. My aim is to please God and what His Spirit have commissioned me to do; which is to warn those who have been "saved" and "forgiven of past sins" that unless we "walk worthy" and "overcome" by "repentance" and "obedience" we will miss out and, as Paul states clearly throughout his letters, "not inherit the Kingdom."

In the end, only the Word will stand.
Amen.

I've already pointed out to you that you cannot perfectly obey what God demands. If you say that you can do it then you deceive yourself but you also bear false witness to God and that's yet another sin.

Repentance is to bring us back to faith in God and trust that Jesus' death on the cross is the propitiation of your sins. If you don't have forgiveness of sins then do you know what will be waiting for you at judgment day?

 

[Michael]

I've already pointed out to you that you cannot perfectly obey what God demands. If you say that you can do it then you deceive yourself but you also bear false witness to God and that's yet another sin.

Repentance is to bring us back to faith in God and trust that Jesus' death on the cross is the propitiation of your sins. If you don't have forgiveness of sins then do you know what will be waiting for you at judgment day?

Sadly, man will defend their right to sin to the death, especially "Christians." It's amazing how many excuses church-goers continually come up with, while twisting the Scripture, in attempt to "prove" that we are unable to obey God.
And even worse, so many are taught that if we don't obey His commands we will still be OK because we uttered a phrase at some point in our life.

Personally, I must lay hold of what the Scripture points out... which is my, our, eternal lot depends on our behavior, our obedience, our works in this life. Jesus pointed that out often. Paul pointed it out in nearly every letter he wrote. And the Apostles taught it throughout the Book of Acts and in their epistles.
Forgiveness gets us started. But as Jesus taught, if we don't then obey and walk worthy, God will take back His forgiveness and we may very well face "outer darkness."

Curious where your definition of "repentance" comes from? It's not in the Bible. It doesn't fit a single use of the term in either the Greek or Hebrew. Is that a newer Lutheran doctrine? If so, we must be very careful. Any doctrine that contradicts the canon of Scripture will not stand in the Day we stand before the Lord and give an account for our deeds.

May what we've claimed to believe line up with the works by which we will be judged in that Day.

Amen.

 

[Lamb]

, God will take back His forgiveness and we may very well face "outer darkness."

God does not "take back His forgiveness". Man can reject forgiveness and will not receive it but God will NOT undo what is already done...that is that Jesus died on the cross once and for all for the forgiveness of our sins.

 

[Bluezone777]

If a debt of yours was stated to be forgiven then at a later date you were called in for payment of that debt only proves that the debt was never forgiven in the first place. It would make the person who claimed that they forgave your debt a liar. If your god is a liar than your god isn't the God of the Bible. There is no way to undo forgiveness outside of lying about the initial claim of forgiveness.

 

[Michael]

God does not "take back His forgiveness". Man can reject forgiveness and will not receive it but God will NOT undo what is already done...that is that Jesus died on the cross once and for all for the forgiveness of our sins.

For starters, you appear to be unfamiliar with Matt 18:23-35.

 

[Lamb]

For starters, you appear to be unfamiliar with Matt 18:23-35.

That portion of scripture does not disprove what I stated. The point of that parable is to explain how people don't understand the extent of Jesus' forgiveness. It's not limited as man makes it to be...as your own teaching claims it to be. You teach that only some sins were forgiven at the cross and that's not the truth of what the bible teaches, for all sin was forgiven at the cross because of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Jesus is teaching how many times should a man forgive and it's unlimited and shows that His love, mercy and forgiveness is unlimited. The Rabbis suggest 3 times for forgiving and Peter said 7. Anyone who refuses to see Jesus' eternal forgiveness is showing that rejection of HIS forgiveness...just like the servant in the parable. That servant didn't understand either. The parable is obvious to those who see Jesus' forgiveness.

 

[Michael]

That portion of scripture does not disprove what I stated. The point of that parable is to explain how people don't understand the extent of Jesus' forgiveness. It's not limited as man makes it to be...as your own teaching claims it to be. You teach that only some sins were forgiven at the cross and that's not the truth of what the bible teaches, for all sin was forgiven at the cross because of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Jesus is teaching how many times should a man forgive and it's unlimited and shows that His love, mercy and forgiveness is unlimited. The Rabbis suggest 3 times for forgiving and Peter said 7. Anyone who refuses to see Jesus' eternal forgiveness is showing that rejection of HIS forgiveness...just like the servant in the parable. That servant didn't understand either. The parable is obvious to those who see Jesus' forgiveness.

Oh that men would listen to the Lord and heed His Word.

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good"
- Isaiah 1:16-17


The idea that all our future sins are forgiven when someone 'accepts Christ' stands in direct contradiction to Scripture. The teaching of Jesus in Matt 18:23-35 clearly teaches that.

Of the one who had been forgiven, Jesus says -

"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” - Matt 18:32-35

I'm sure many of the motivational speakers and man-appointed pulpit preachers of today could "explain" this Truth away and attempt to "teach" that what Jesus taught doesn't apply to "Christians"... but it actually applies directly and only to those who have been forgiven of their "past sins" as Peter emphasizes in 2Pet 1:9.

So many today are stuck at being saved and forgiven of past sins - sadly being told that this is the goal and end of our faith - that they don't "add to their faith" those things (behaviors, deeds) that will ensure an "entrance into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2Pet 1:11)

My encouragement to those whom I minister to in the Christian churches and Bible Studies I teach, is to be as the Bereans and actually study the Word for themselves and seek the mind of the Lord concerning God's Word. For now, as throughout history, man-appointed pastors, priests and prophets will attempt to please man in their sins by telling them that their behavior doesn't matter and that God can't see their sin because of the Blood, or "Jesus did it all", or some other unScriptural nonsense. Any doctrine that excludes True Repentance (a turning from sin), Cross-carrying Obedience, and a "walk worthy" of the Kingdom, is a false doctrine that will leave many wanting and even gnashing their teeth in that Day.

I must be faithful to what God has commissioned me with, teach only His Word, and seek to please our Lord rather than man. As most rejected Jesus, persecuted the Apostles and slew the Prophets, most will despise the Word He has given some of us with which to instruct the churches. Again, I consider myself in good company with those "of whom the world was not worthy." (Heb 11:38)

May we be found among those who "walk worthy of the gospel." (Phil 1:27)

 

[Lamb]

that God can't see their sin because of the Blood, or "Jesus did it all",

This, sir, is exactly why you are a false prophet. You don't see the true Jesus of the Bible. You've also proven the point of the parable that you brought up that you limit the forgiveness of God. Repent. Turn to the one who shows love, mercy AND forgiveness because of the cross, a one time death for you.

 

[Andrew]

Perhaps we should define the word "repent", I believe as a Christian that "to turn inwards/reflect and reconsider" means to look to Christ IN you.. or you could equally say "look to the cross", one thing that I have to remind myself when I feel conviction of the heart and turn inward is "forgiveness".. without forgiveness of sin (past, present and future) I am damned if I do and damned if I don't, and if I am "damned" either way then Jesus must be crucified afresh, which is impossible according to Hebrews.. Here's a snippet of the Lord's prayer "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us", this is an example of HOW (not what, or verbatim..) we should pray.. also notice that we pray to OUR Father in Heaven, not MY Father, but OUR.. thus it's always Jesus we turn to when we "repent" because without Him we can not get to the Father.

 

[Lamb]

Perhaps we should define the word "repent", I believe as a Christian that "to turn inwards/reflect and reconsider" means to look to Christ IN you.. or you could equally say "look to the cross", one thing that I have to remind myself when I feel conviction of the heart and turn inward is "forgiveness".. without forgiveness of sin (past, present and future) I am damned if I do and damned if I don't, and if I am "damned" either way then Jesus must be crucified afresh, which is impossible according to Hebrews.. Here's a snippet of the Lord's prayer "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us", this is an example of HOW (not what, or verbatim..) we should pray.. also notice that we pray to OUR Father in Heaven, not MY Father, but OUR.. thus it's always Jesus we turn to when we "repent" because without Him we can not get to the Father.

This is a good stream of thought you have going.

Only Jesus is our intercessor. He's the one who died once and for all on the cross for our sins. When we sin we repent meaning we have contrition for our sin and then we turn to God in faith...in order to be forgiven. That's the SAME forgiveness that Jesus died for on the cross since He can't go back to the cross to die again.

So repentance is turning to God to receive what He wants to give us...forgiveness.

 

[Michael]

This, sir, is exactly why you are a false prophet. You don't see the true Jesus of the Bible. You've also proven the point of the parable that you brought up that you limit the forgiveness of God. Repent. Turn to the one who shows love, mercy AND forgiveness because of the cross, a one time death for you.

Actually, I thank God that I have not accepted "another Christ" as so many have done in the churches today. The Jesus presented in most churches is NOT the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Firstborn Son of God that is seated at the right hand of God in the spiritual realm, now "waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool", waiting for self-professing "Christians" to actually "repent" (turn from sin is what Repent means, and nothing less), "deny themselves, pick up their cross daily and follow Jesus", "present their bodies a living sacrifice" and "strive against sin, resisting even to the shedding of their own blood." And if we've 'accepted' a false Jesus, then where does that leave us?

Truly, I have come to understand and appreciate Paul's admonition in 1Tim 2:11-15. It is a much needed Word for today, as God is calling His "sons" to "come after" Jesus, the "Firstborn among many brothers."

I know what I teach is not politically correct, but it IS Bible.

The time for foolishness in the churches is drawing to a close. God is no longer winking.

 

[Lamb]

I know what I teach is not politically correct, but it IS Bible.

Atheists can teach from the bible too and not proclaim Jesus as giving them eternal life. What you teach is not the Christian teaching that Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life. Your post that God can't see their sin because of the Blood, or "Jesus did it all", proves it.

 

[Michael]

Atheists can teach from the bible too and not proclaim Jesus as giving them eternal life. What you teach is not the Christian teaching that Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life.

Oh, ma'am, everything you said here is flat wrong. I actually thank God that I am able to teach what I do in Christian churches and fellowships, to those seeking to move past the "elementary principles of Christ."
Again, as I told you before... The great many folk in the "Christian Religion" today have accepted "another Christ", which means they have not actually received the "Seed" that can actually bring them "eternal Life."

Truly, I have come to understand and appreciate Paul's admonition in 1Tim 2:11-15. It is a much needed Word for today, as God is calling His "sons" to "come after" Jesus, the "Firstborn among many brothers."

I know what I teach is not politically correct, but it IS Bible. And progressive women have the biggest issues with what Jesus, the Apostles, Prophets and some of us teach.

The time for foolishness in the churches is drawing to a close. God is no longer winking.