Repent Unto Salvation
The idea of repentance is one that
is mentioned throughout the New Testament. In several passages, which we will
look at, it is tied directly to our salvation. However, it seems that the
concept of repentance is misunderstood with most people today. In the English
language, the word repent means to cause to feel regret or contrition (Webster’s
10th edition). This simple definition does not carry the full
meaning of what is taught in the New Testament. Surely sorrow is a part of
repentance. It is impossible for one to change in the way that God demands
without feeling regret over our sinful practices, but repentance is not limited
to nor intended to be simple sorrow. Let us examine the scriptures in order to
understand what God means by repentance.
First, let us see if repentance is
necessary for our salvation. In Luke 13:3-5, Jesus is dealing with the attitude
of the people of the day. He refers to a group of Galileans that were killed by
Pilate. He asked a simple question, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were
worse sinners that all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things?”
Apparently the people felt that this massacre was somehow a punishment from God
for the sins of these people. He then answered His own question, “I tell you,
no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” With this simple
statement He accomplished three things. First he pointed out the guilt of the
people to whom he is talking. This group of people had committed sin just as
the dead Galileans so to suppose that the Galileans were being punished, while
they were not was illogical. Secondly, He pointed out the simple fact that all
sinful men are in line for the same punishment. Third, He told them what to do
about their sins; repent. In Acts 28, Peter shows us the value repentance
again. Having convinced the Jews that it was the Son of God that they had hung
upon the cross he then tells them what they must do in order to be saved from
the condemnation they have brought upon themselves. He says “Repent and let
every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It is sin that we
have a need to be saved from and Peter says that in order to be saved from these
sins we must repent. It becomes plain that in order for me to be in a saved
state I must repent of my sins. For as Jesus said, “… unless you repent you
will all likewise perish.”
The first time we see the word repent in
the New Testament is in Matthew 3:2; “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand!” These were the words of John the Baptist as he went out preaching and
preparing the way for the kingdom. The Greek word used here has a very rich
meaning. Vincent says that the word carries the idea of “to think differently
after (Vincent’s Word Studies). So clearly the mind is active in repentance.
John does not stop there though. He goes on to say in verse 8 that there is a
need to “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Now a quick study of the New
Testament will reveal to us that the concept of bearing fruits has to do with
actions (Matthew 7:15-22, Galatians 5:19-22) so we can clearly see that not only
the mind is involved in repentance, but also the actions of a man are a part of
his repentance. So what is repentance? Let us look at the concept put to use
in both the individual and in a group. In Revelation 2:4, we find that the
Church at Ephesus had left its first love. For this they were given a strict
warning; “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first
works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its
place—unless you repent.” Now clearly we can understand that such a severe
warning would cause mental anguish. We would be sorry for causing the Lord to
feel this way about us. However, this was not the only point of the message
delivered to the church at Ephesus. Notice that he did not tell them to be
sorry and that will be enough. Instead, he told them to do something. What
were they told to do? They were told to change. It was enough for them to be
sorry about their actions and attitudes, while continuing in them. No the Lord
told them to change. In 1Corinthians, Paul addresses many problems that existed
in the congregation. They had a divisive attitude, they were allowing an
adulterer to be in their midst, they were making a mockery of the Lord’s Supper,
just to name a few of their problems. In 2Corinthians 7:8, Paul talked about
the fact that he made them sorry, as he meant to, but notice what that “godly
sorrow” produced in them. Verse 11 says, “For observe this very thing, that you
sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what
clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear,
what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all
things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” The letter not
only made them sorry for the things they had done, it also prompted them to
change. Perhaps the greatest example of repentance in all Bible is seen in the
life of Paul. In Acts 22, Paul recounts his first meeting with Jesus. As he
met the Lord on the road to Damascus, he was on his way to persecute Jesus (vs.
8). He was doing this by bringing harm to His followers. He had received
letters from the Jewish council to go find those who would confess the name of
Christ and bring them bound back to Jerusalem and then imprison them (Acts
9:2). After his conversation with Jesus, he became a totally different person.
Instead of persecuting Christians he went and began preaching Jesus. This is
what true repentance is; change.
Surely by this study we have
established two things. First, repentance is necessary for my salvation. I
cannot continue on in the sins of my past and be pleasing to God. Next we see
that repentance is more than just sorrow at the wrong we have done it is a
change in the way we think, feel, and act. It is a change that must occur in
order for my soul to be saved.
By Shawn Chancellor
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