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Tuesday, 8 May 2018
THE BIBLE AND REPENTANCE
PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies);
ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com
THE BIBLE
AND REPENTANCE
Presented by: Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Devotional Text: Mark 1:14-20
INTRODUCTION:
“Repentance”, according to the BBC English
Dictionary, is sorrow that one feels for the wrong or evil thing one has done”.
However, the Bible does not show the sorrow for the wrong one has done as
repentance, but a step to it, and that this “sorrow” must be a godly one, as it
states that, “godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves
no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death”, (2 Cor. 7:10). This means that
repentance is not an emotional thing, but something which originates from the
human spirit, since it leads to salvation (vs. 10)
GENERAL
REMARKS
(1) The Scripture
shows that it is the goodness of GOD that leads men to repentance, (Rom. 2:4)
(2) The Scripture
also shows that it is not the will of GOD that anyone should persist, but that
all should come to repentance, (2 Peter 3:9)
(3) The Scripture,
as well says that GOD commands all people everywhere to repent, (Acts 17:30)
(4) The Scripture,
in conclusive terms states that except one repents, one would definitely perish
(Luke 13:3;5)
REPENTANCE
AND FORGIVENESS IF SIN
Repentance
is the prerequisite for the forgiveness of sin. No one receives the forgiveness
of one’s sin(s) from the LORD without a genuine repentance, which, according to
the BBC English Dictionary, “is the sorrow that one feels”. This pictures the
feelings of the crowd whom the Apostle Peter preaches the Gospel of JESUS
CHRIST to, during the advent of the Holy Spirit. Thus, “when the people heard
this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,
“Brother, what shall we do?” Then, Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised,
every one of you, in the Name of JESUS CHRIST, for the forgiveness of your
sins” ... (Acts 2:37-38), as well as authenticates the biblical truth the
repentance must take place in one’s life before one receives the forgiveness of
one’s sins from the LORD, (vs. 37-38). In this light of the foregoing,
therefore, this lesson states that:
(i)
Repentance is indeed the basis for the forgiveness
of sins, (vs. 38)
(ii)
Is one claims that one has no sin, one
deceives oneself, and the truth is not in one, (1 John 1:8)
(iii)
The confession of the sins one had repented
of gives access to the forgiveness of one’s sins, (vs. 9)
REPENTANCE
AND CLEANSING
GOD’s WORD which says, “Repent, then, and
turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” ... (Acts 3:19) shows also
that repentance is vital, if one must be cleansed from one’s sins, as it, as
well portrays confession of sins, which is a product of genuine repentance, as
another step to forgiveness, and by extension to the cleansing of sins, since
it states that, “if we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”, (1 John 1:9). In
other words, no heart repentance that does without a hear confession of sins,
and no hearty confession of sins that does not obtain the forgiveness of sins
from the LORD. This is because, “the sacrifices of GOD are; a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart”, which that LORD GOD does not despise, (Psalms
5:17). The above narrative reveals that a hearty repentance:
(i)
Leads to the cleansing of one’s sins, (Acts
3:19)
(ii)
Equally produces a hearty confession of one’s
sins, (1 John 1:9)
(iii)
And confession moves the LORD to cleans one
from all unrighteousness (vs. 9)
REPENTANCE
AND SALVATION
Once
again, notice that, “godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and
leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death”, (2 Cor. 7:10). And, the
word “salvation”, in the biblical sense of it, is the atoning act of JESUS
CHRIST by which He saves those who believe in Him from sin and its attendant
evil. Salvation is exclusively the work of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and BLESSED
SVAIOUR, as there is no other name given among men whereby we may be save,
(Acts 4:12). This means that no church leader can save, as the church itself
cannot save, since they are but instruments by which the LORD saves those who
believe in HIM as they preach the Gospel, (see Acts 16:31). The salvation of JESUS
CHRIST deals with the problem of sin, since “all have sinned and come short of
the glory of GID” (Rom. 3:23), and so, one who desires to be saved must repent.
Thus, the constant call to salvation is repentance, (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Acts
2:38; 3:19). Furthermore, salvation is obtained by the grace of GOD and not by
the works of man, as the only thing required of man in salvation is the
exercise of his faith in JESU CHRIST our LORS and BLESSED SAVIOUR, (Eph. 2:8).
Note, also, that he salvation of JESUS CHRIST transforms into newness of life,
and anything short of this, remain doubtful, (see 2 Cor. 5:17). In this
connection, this lesson equally opines that:
(i)
Repentance is necessary for salvation, (Acts
2:38; 38 3:19)
(ii) Salvation
without repentance is false,(vs. 2:38;3:19)
(iii) Since all
have sinned (Rom. 3:23), all, therefore, need to repent for salvation, (Acts
3:19)
In
conclusion, this lesson states that the strongest evidence that shows the
willingness of the sinner to return to GOD is repentance, and where repentance
is genuine, concrete steps are taken towards the path of salvation. The story
of the prodigal son illustrates it all,(Luke 15:11-32). REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!
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