Repentance Good morning beloved, welcome to ‘Scripture Review’ for this morning… Repentance is a free decision on the part of sinners, made possible by the enabling grace given to them as they hear and believe the gospel. The definition of saving faith as ‘’mere trust ‘’ in Christ as Savior is wholly inadequate in the light of Christ’s demand for repentance. To define saving faith in a way that does not necessarily involve a radical break with sin is to dangerously distort the Biblical view of redemption; faith that includes repentance is always a condition for salvation. The preaching of repentance must always accompany the gospel message. The basic meaning of ’repent’ is ‘’to change your mind’’- not superficially, but changing your basic attitude and lifestyle. It involves a change of masters; from sin and Satan being master, to Jesus Christ and His Word being Master. Repentance is often connected with turning to God and proving one’s repentance by the fruits of change of life (Acts 26:20, 30:19). The saving faith that the Grace of God makes possible in response to hearing the gospel includes repentance. Genuine repentance will be accompanied by the fruits of righteousness (LK 3:10-14). True faith and conversion must become evidence through lives that forsake sin and bear godly fruits (John 15:16). Those who say they believe in Christ and are children of God, and yet do not live lives that produce good fruits, are like trees that will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Just as Satan manipulated the Word of God when tempting Jesus Christ to sin. At times worldly people will use Scripture in an attempt to persuade believers to do something they know is wrong or unwise. Some Scripture text, when taking of out context or not compared with other passages of God’s word, may even appear to condone sinful behaviour. Believers must know God thoroughly and beware of those who pervert Scripture in order to fulfill the desire of the sinful human nature. The apostle Peter speaks of those who distort the Scripture to their own destruction. Matthew 5:20,…except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven... the position righteousness of Scribe and Pharisees was external only. They kept many rules, prayed, praise, fasted, read God’s Word and attended worship services. However, they substituted the outward acts for the correct inner attitudes. Jesus said that the righteousness that God requires of believers is more, because they that worship God must do it in spirit and in truth, not as show up. The heart and spirit, not only the outward deeds, must be conformed to God’s will in faith and love. This point to the direction God requires His servant to follow as we take responsibility to make disciple of the world. Our preaching and teaching must include repentance from sin and live for righteousness. Our message to the world must be, ‘’Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand’’. We are not supposed to tell the world to come to Jesus for money or miracles, the message must be ‘’seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you’’. Have you been perverting the minds of people with miracles, signs and wonders and divert their attention from complete focus on God, His kingdom and righteousness. Remember the Lord says ‘’these signs shall follow them that believe’’. Did you notice that the message is ‘’believe and repent’’ first before the signs can follow. Miracles without repentance will only leave you stranded on the Day of Judgment. Repent and believe the gospel, Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, no one cometh to the father except through Him. You can come today He is waiting for you; don’t delay, tomorrow may be too late. God help you as you obey. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 04:03:31 +0000
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