#4

                                                           REPENTANCE

Repentance- A “change” of ones’ mind- in the N.T. it always refers to a “change” for the better, and always refers to repentance from sin. Again in the N.T., this “change” involves a “turning” from sin and a “turning” unto God.

   The doctrine of Repentance is often under preached and misinterpreted by believers when they read the Scriptures. We are reminded in the N.T. that Jesus opened His ministry (Mathew 4:17) with the same teaching that John the Baptist taught (Luke 3:8) and that was that this doctrine is vital to the salvation of the soul. The Apostle Paul taught this very doctrine in (Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20).

   It is further taught in the N.T. that it is the mercy of God given to men and women that allows us to receive this wonderful doctrine from God in order that we might be saved (Acts 5:31; 11:18; Romans 2:4; II Timothy 2:25, 26).

                                                           I. TURNING

   The #1 reason why Jesus came down from heaven to earth was that He might save people from going to hell (John 3:16; Luke 19:10; I Timothy 1:15. We will now look at a few examples of how Jesus sought out sinners and how this doctrine of repentance was a key in the salvation of the souls of those He came in contact with.

(John 5:1-17; John 8:1-11) (lust of the flesh I John 2:16) In these two similar events, both of these individuals were told by Jesus to “sin no more” or turn (repent) from there current practice of sin.

(Luke 1:13-17) John the Baptist was hand picked by God to preach repentance and to “turn” the hearts of the people back to God.

(Acts 26:1-18) The Apostle Paul stands before King Agrippa and gives his testimony of salvation and his call from God to minister to the Gentiles and preach repentance from sin and the devil unto God.

(Mark 10:17-23) Jesus meets with a young man who is very rich and has a very religious upbringing. This is a great example of one who refuses to repent of his sin (Lust of the eye I John 2:16) and therefore does not get saved.

(John 11:43-48) Here we see another example of sinners who refuse to repent from their sin. This time it is the sin of pride (pride of life I John 2:16). The priests and Scribes did not want to lose their high positions over the common people so refused to turn to Christ.

(Luke 15:11-24) The greatest N.T. example of repentance and turning from sin unto God is found here in the parable that Jesus told of the Prodigal son. We find in this story a complete turning of attitude, heart, and emotion away from his sin and back to the father.

                                                           II. CHANGE

   Remember this; repentance is “changing” our minds, our hearts, our direction from sin towards God.

(II Corinthians 5:17) Paul is reminding us that if we are truly born again Christians then we are “new creatures” and that our old habits should be disappearing and we should be forming new habits that are pleasing to God.

(Romans 12:2) In this Epistle Paul tells the Roman believers that we are not to conform to the world standards, see (I John 2:15), but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The only way to begin to get this renewal for our minds is by the reading, studying, and preaching from God’s Word. Do you still love the things of the world?

(Philippians 4:7, 8) In order to change anything, we must start with our mind. Paul tells us here that the peace of God can help us have good hearts and a good mind by thinking Godly thoughts and meditating on what God tells us is good for us.

(John 15:16; Mathew 7:15-20; Colossians 1:10) We are taught throughout the N.T. that we as Christians should be bearing Spiritual fruit and that by doing so, it is a good sign that we really belong to Jesus Christ. Do others see a major difference in your life since you made a profession? Does your Christian walk prove to others that you are saved?

God bless