"REPENTANCE"

It has been said that Repentance is one of the most difficult commands to obey. I suppose this is true, because it is the very act wherein we must change our will.

In Luke 13:3-5, Christ declared: "Except ye repent, ye shall perish...." Repentance was the burden of the preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1,2). When Jesus sent out the disciples on the limited commission, he instructed them to tell the Jews "to repent." (Mark 6:12).

After his baptism, repentance was the message of the Christ. "From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17).

When Christ issued the great commission, following his resurrection and just before he ascended to heaven, the apostles were told to preach "repentance and remission of sins." (Luke 24:46-49). Following the orders of Christ, we find Peter preaching that first sermon after the Spirit came upon them..."Repent and be baptized everyone of you." (Acts 2:38).

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

First, repentance is not sorrow. Just because one feels sorry for his sins is no indication that repentance has taken place. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, we are told that "godly sorrow" leads one to repent. This would mean that repentance is a fruit of godly sorrow.

Next, it is not changing of one's life. Reformation of life will come as a result of repentance. Just so, reformation is the fruit of repentance. Study closely Luke 3:7-14.

What, then, is repentance? The answer should be clearly understood. Repentance is that change in a man's stubborn will that comes between "godly sorrow" and results in a "reformed life."

Jesus gives an example of repentance in Matthew 21:28,29. "But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. And he answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented himself, and went." What change took place in this son between "I will not" and his going? It was the change of his will. The going was not repentance, but came as the fruit of it.

God commands that men should repent (Acts 17:30). Unless we repent we will perish (Luke 13:3).

CONCLUSION

As long as man lives in rebellion against God, he will perish. The only way to have life is to bow in submission to God. Why not be willing to change your will to follow God. Let godly sorrow lead you to repent. You know that you have sinned. One must come to realize that the only way to God is to bow in submission.

The human heart must come to know: "God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and will he not do it? or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19). Satan is trying so very hard to keep you from repenting, for he knows that unless the "will" of man is broken, we will never come to God. Therefore, the devil will do all within his power to keep us from repentance.

No wonder it is hard to repent. It is the changing of our wills to conform to God's will. My desire for everyone who reads this lesson is to think seriously about your salvation. Repent of your sins, turn to God, obey his word and have salvation. Peter told people on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38).

Think seriously my dear friend.

- Dan Carter