Repentance
By Gordon Mc Donnell
We Must Repent or Perish
In the book of Luke 13 verses 1 through 5 we find that Jesus taught that we must repent or perish . If we are not willing to turn from the way of sin and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ we are doomed to destruction from the presence of God .
The word " repentance " comes from the Greek word " meta - moeo " , which means , " to change ones mind " " to feel sorry for evil deeds done , and desire to refrain from them ". By this definition we may see what Jesus meant when he said that men must repent or perish .
If we are not willing to leave the world of sin behind and enter into a state of holiness and Godly living , then it is evident that we are not willing to repent and therefore we have no promise of receiving forgiveness .
Jesus told the story in Matthew 21 verses 28 - 31 , of a father that had two sons . He told them , " Go work today in my vineyard ". One of them said " I will not " , but later repented , and went . He is an example of repentance . The son changed his mind ; was evidently sorry for refusing his father, and then went to do his father's wishes .This is the way it is with you and me . We must repent of our unwillingness to serve our heavenly Father and then proceed to do the things he wants us to do .
Repentance is a Change of Mind Resulting in a Change of State
We find examples in the Bible where God promised destruction to certain people ; but when they repented , he changed his mind and extended to them mercy .
In the case of Nineveh , the story is found in the book of Jonah , we find that God told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and cry out against it . Though Jonah himself was rebellious , he was brought to repentance and went to cry out against the wicked city . When he did , they all repented in sackcloth and ashes and God changed his mind , deciding not to destroy the city .
The story of the prodical son is one of the loving fathers who is willing to receive the wayward son when he repents and comes back to the father . No doubt Jesus told this story to show God's love for us when we are willing to repent and return to Him . The change of mind in the case of the Ninevites and of the prodical son resulted in a change of state or position .
God Does Not Want Us To Be Lost
In the text which is wrote in the beginning of this lesson , we read that "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness ; but is longsuffering toward us , not willing that any should perish ; but that all should come to repentance ".
God desires us to be saved . Though man sinned after his creation , yet God did not simply destroy him , but rather extended His mercy to him and gave him promise of redemption if he would heed his will .
Even from Genesis 3 verse 15 , we find prophecies of the coming Messiah and Redeemer . Down through the entire Old Testament comes a chain of events showing the mercy of God to a wayward people , and one promise after another that a Savior would come . Finally , when the fulness of time had come , He sent his Son Jesus to die as a sacrifice for our sins that we through him might have life and have it more abundantly .
Even today the promise is to us ; that if we will believe in Christ and obey his will , we shall have remission of sins and can then go onward and upward to the home of the soul .
Repentance is in The Plane of Salvation
In the Gospel according to Luke 24 verses 47-48 , we read , And He said unto them, thus it is written , and thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day . And that repentance and remission of sin should be preached in His name among all nations , beginning in Jerusalem . When the church was established on the day of Pentecost as is recorded in Acts 2 we find that .Peter replied to those who asked what to do :
repent and be Baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins , and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost . " In Acts 3 verse 19 , Peter again says , " Repent you there four , and be converted , that your sins might be blotted , when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord . " Paul said in his sermon in the midst of Mars Hill , Acts 17 verse 30 , And the times of this ignorance God winked at ; By these scriptures we see that repentance was preached , just as Jesus said it should be .
Repentance is Directly Connected With The Plain of Salvation
On the day of establishment of the church , Acts 2 , when the people wanted to know what to do , Peter said : Repent and be Baptized , everyone of you , in the name of Jesus Christ , for the remission of sins . " Evidently , these people understand this for we are told that : as many as gladly received his word , were baptized , and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls . Acts 2 verse 41
