STEP 3: REPENT of SINS!

 

 

“Freewill” is a natural part of man’s being. God made man with the attribute of “freewill” and he, therefore, is fully capable of choosing to serve either God or Satan (cf. Joshua 24:15). Being that all accountable persons have exercised their freewill in choosing to sin, it is equally true that the freewill of sinful man is necessarily involved in his choice to return to God (Rom. 3:23).

 

The Lord, our only Savior, requires repentance of taught believers. He did not come to call the righteous, "but sinners to repentance" (Matt. 9:13). Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Luke's account of His last words tell us that Jesus required "Repentance and remission of sins (to) be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).

 

What is involved in the mind and life of one when he or she repents? This question must be answered, because if one would be saved by Christ that one must repent (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9). Repentance is a simple word. Its most basic meaning is "to think differently." Repentance is about changing direction. It also signifies "to change one's mind or purpose." It always involves a change for the better. One makes a change in direction from a lifestyle that was separated from and rebellious against God and turns to Him. Isaiah summed it up: "Cease to do evil; learn to do well” (Isaiah 1:16-17).

 

Repentance is the way we get ready and prepared for the coming of salvation. There is no salvation where there is no repentance. What is required is not that we try to escape from predicaments and crises, but a repentance wherein one sincerely turns to and walks with God.

 

What produces repentance? The Bible says, “GODLY SORROW produces REPENTANCE” (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). Repentance then results in a REFORMATION OF LIFE (Luke 3:8). Therefore, repentance is both an effect and a cause. It is the effect of godly sorrow and the cause of a reformation of life.

 

God uses His word in two ways to bring mankind to repentance: First, from the word of God we are caused to see the fearful and eternal consequences of a life lived in sin (Matt. 11:20-24). Second, from the same word we also see that the goodness of God leads us to repent (Rom. 2:4-5). If these two ways do not cause a person to repent, such a person will never be brought to repentance!

 

Our time in this life is limited. Indeed, God has set the time of the end. The time when He is calling out for repentance will not go on forever. Consequently, the apostle Paul said in the epistle addressed to the church at Corinth: “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

 

We should not take lightly God's forgiveness of those who come to Him repenting, and God's abundant loving kindness, forbearance, and endurance which allows us to live in a righteous relationship with Him.

 

Remember: repentance means to turn away from sin (change your mind about sin) and turn to God.

 

Please answer the four questions below by reading the scripture and filling in the blanks:

Who commands us to repent?

 

Matthew 4:17… We are commanded to repent by _______________.

 

Acts 17:30… We are commanded to repent by ________________.

 

 

Of what should we repent?

 

Acts 8:22… We should repent of our _______________.

 

 

What will happen if we repent?

 

Luke 15:7… If we repent there will be ________________ in ______________.

 

 

What will happen if we do not repent?

 

Luke 13:3… If we don’t repent we will ______________.

 

 

Go To: Step 4 - Confess Christ 


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