Repentance
REPENTANCE (Grk. metanoia, a "change" of mind). In the theological and ethical sense a fundamental and
thorough change in the hearts of men from sin and toward God.
Matt
4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand."
NKJV
Luke 13:5
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
NKJV
Rom 2:4
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not
realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
(NIV)
We hear much on faith and grace, but how about “Repentance” Let’s define “Repent”
Old Covenant (Hebrew)
Gen 6:6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. NKJV
nacham (naw-kham'); properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; to be sorry,
Jer 25:5 They said, 'Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, ..... NKJV (NIV) "Turn now, each of you, ......
shuwb (shoob); to turn back (hence, away) generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
Note that one word represents a “feeling” of remorse and one represents an "Action"
New Covenant: (Greek)
Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." NKJV
metanoeo (met-an-o-eh'-o); to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally,)
Matt 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, NKJV
He wants to SEE change.
metanoia (met-an'-oy-ah);(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation);
(Compunction; A sharp feeling of uneasiness brought on by a sense of guilt.)
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, NKJV
"Repent, then, and turn to God," NIV
epistrepho (ep-ee-stref'-o); to revert (literally, figuratively or morally): In other words, CHANGE THE DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. NKJV
When we feel conviction but don’t change, we start feeling a burden
GOD WILL TEST US
1 Thess 2:4 We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. NIV
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. NIV
2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test? NIV
Jesus is speaking to a Church (Christians)
Rev 2:5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. NIV
Matt 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' NKJV
2 Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. NIV
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "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 NKJV
Acts 13:24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. NIV
John laid the groundwork or the foundation.
Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. NIV
Acts 26:19-20 "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. NIV
Matt 3:5-6 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. NKJV
Here we should see that Repentance is necessary.
1 Cor 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. NKJV
Jesus paid the price for our sin on the Cross. Our sin separates us from God. Jesus blood makes atonement and allows us to draw close to God again.
2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, .... NKJV
When we understand Gods love and grace, and that Jesus paid the price for us, it causes us to want change which in turn draws us closer to God
Rom 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? NIV
1 John 2:3-6 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did NIV
Heb 12:5-6 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." NIV
Prov 3:11-12
Paul is speaking to the Churches (Christian’s)
Gal 5:17 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature NIV
Gal 5:19-24 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (seduce, lead astray); 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord (conflict), jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions (disagree, quarrel violently), factions (groups, division) 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. NIV
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. NIV
1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. NKJV
2 Peter 3:17-18 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. NIV
Rom 7:14-25 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! NIV
Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise. NKJV
We don’t have to "fix" ourselves to come to God. We simply need to realize we are sinners who need to change. God’s Spirit will bring the conviction. Then you will have choices to make.