Let's Study About Repentance
Let us reason together, brethren, on this doctrine of repentance. With all this confusion and diversity of thought on this subject there have to be questions raised in your mind, as well as mine. With the help of God, meditation, and searching the Scriptures I believe we can come to some basic understanding of this Bible doctrine.
Let us first ask some questions and I hope you will also ask some of me and of yourself until we find what God desires of us or demands of us concerning Salvation. Let's ask questions of ourselves such as:
Does God actually do the repenting for a sinner?
Is it part of Grace given to us?
Must a sinner repent in order to be saved?
What is Bible repentance - change of mind? change of heart? change of actions? change of affections? What are the ingredients - substance of it? Is Jesus speaking of repenting after Salvation when He says, "Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish?"
Let us ask questions also as to the relationship between repentance and forgiveness:
Can sins be forgiven by God when a person still loves and continues in that sin?
Will he truly find mercy for sin he never forsakes?
How forceful and demanding should we be when dealing with sinners (about sin), when witnessing to them about salvation?
Should we tell sinners, "Except ye repent ye shall likewise perish?"
Is the Psalmist speaking of a repentant heart when he says, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart: and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit?" - Psalm 34:18
Maybe we need to ask questions about the spiritual state of those that never repent - that continue in sin thinking grace will abound. Questions such as:
Does repentance settle and remove a sin from a person's life?
Is he done with that sin or is repentance merely confession, as Catholicism teaches?
Do we turn, only to turn back again, is that true repentance?
Brethren, we must admit our people live a very low quality Christianity compared to our forefathers. Do you think we might have gotten soft on repentance and what it really means? Are we teaching our people that the only prerequisite to Salvation is belief in the record? Is faith inactive or is there a response and work, as James teaches?
Can we separate our responsibilities from works? Why is repentance looked upon as works? We know the atonement is all wrapped up in Jesus - a gift from God, but does that mean that we have no responsibility to repent?
In our study, with the help of God, I trust you and I can find the answers to these and many more questions. My brother, if repentance is essential, then we'd best be preaching it right. We could be charged with scattering.
Please respond with your comments on this subject or others we put forth. Your input will received with love, respect, and much consideration. Do you think it's possible that we have strayed from the old paths and need to challenge one another to a common faith? Ever wonder what this unregenerate world thinks about our different views and teachings on the same Bible? It might just be that we are in the days Paul spoke of, under inspiration, when he wrote that the way of Truth will be evil spoken of. In my short walk with God of 22 years I've seen many changes take place in what people think the Bible says about Salvation. My prayer is that our sweet, loving, Saviour and Lord guide us all in the truth of His Word.
P.S. Do you have a subject or doctrine you are interested in, or desire of us to write about? Please write us or call. We are not closed minded and controlled by some fellowship or special interest group. I'll be glad to deal with most subjects as the Lord gives wisdom and understanding. Truly, He is our light.
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