The Nature of Repentance

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 HCSB (9) Now I am rejoicing, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn't experience any loss from us. (10) For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.

Introduction

a. There are three basic views of repentance in modern theology. (Mark 12:30 cp Deuteronomy 6:5)

(1) Some believe it means “to change one’s mind or perception of something.” These hold that the biblical concept of repentance can be defined as merely “changing one’s mind”.

(2) Some believe it means “to intend to change” or be emotionally willing to stop sinning, but not necessarily do so.

(3) Others feel that Scriptures teach that to repent means “to not only change our view and feelings but our actions.” We hold to this view. The elders of this congregation believe that repentance means to not merely resolve to change but to ACTUALLY turn away from one’s sins.

The confusion may arise from the fact that the concept is described in the Bible using several different words in both Hebrew and Greek.

b. In Hebrew

(1) Repentance is called nach’am which means to be penitent. This implies the emotional and intellectual imperative that drives godly repentance.

(2) Shuv (or shub) means to turn back. This connotes the actual, practical results of true intent to change.

So in Hebrew, it’s quite clear that there are two aspects to godly repentance – we must feel penitent about our sin, engage our minds (carefully considering the best path back toward goodness) and then take practical steps toward change in our behavior.

c. In Greek, we see three words:

(1) The word metanoia is generally used to express the idea of being careful or concerned about something. This is the intent.

(2) Metanoeo means to have “another mind”. This is the intellectual engagement.

(3) However, metanoeo and metanoia are more than mere regret or intellectual assent. These concepts are better expressed using the word metamelomai. Notice in the passage above how grief is considered separate from repentance? Both are necessary for true repentance to take place.

This fits perfectly with the Master’s confirmation of the Old Covenant instructions on how to love God. Quoting Septuagint’s version of the famous Shema prayer found in Deuteronomy 6:5 He said,

· Mark 12:30 HCSB Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

Yahweh does not change. His requirements in regards to faith, grace, repentance, confession and restitution are universal principles that are equally immutable. We must allow the whole Bible to define our understanding of repentance. Both Hebrew and Greek were necessary to express something so foreign to our sinful spirits.

d. Everyone needs to repent, for we all do wrongful acts sometimes. (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

As the Bible teaches:

• Ecclesiastes 7:20 HCSB There is certainly no righteous man on the earth who does good and never sins.

e. Even the greatest among us can fall. (Genesis 37:26-27; Exodus 32:2-5; Numbers 12:1-10; Numbers 20:9-12; 2 Samuel 11:1-4, 14-17)

The Bible underscores this by describing transgressions and even crimes committed by the greatest figures!

1. Judah arranged to sell his brother Joseph into slavery. (Genesis 37:26-27)
2. Aaron (acting under pressure) helped the Israelites erect a golden idol. (Exodus 32:2-5)
3. Miriam and Aaron spoke unfairly and jealously of Moses. (Numbers 12:1-10)
4. Moses lost his temper and acted so inappropriately that God forbade him entry into the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:9-12).
5. David slept with another man’s wife and arranged for her husband to die in battle. (2 Samuel 11:1-4, 14-17)

1. True repentance, a true change of mind, inevitably results in a change in conduct. (James 2:17-20; Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 23:40-43; 19:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 10:14; Jeremiah 31:19; Job 36:9-10)

Due to our vulnerability to the yetzer hara (the negative impulse or inherent sin nature) the change may be regrettably short but if there is no outward expression of the inward change, how can one claim to have actually repented? The demons give both intellectual assent and emotional weight to the existence of God, the first two steps of repentance – and remain demonic because they failed to take that last step.

· James 2:17-20 HCSB In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself. (18) But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. (19) You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe--and they shudder. (20) Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?

The Master said

· Matthew 10:32-33 HCSB "Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. (33) But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

It is only when one makes some movement, some change, some public confession or stand that one can truly be said to have repented.

It was after the thief on the cross publicly acknowledged his sinful state, expressed assent to the justice of his punishment, rebuked the other criminal and asked for mercy from the Lord that he was told he had been granted salvation.

· Luke 23:40-43 HCSB But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? (41) We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." (42) Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" (43) And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."

It was not until Zacchaeus publicly acknowledged his wrongdoing and set up a plan to make restitution that the Lord Jesus said, “"Today salvation has come to this house"

· Luke 19:8-10 HCSB But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much!" (9) "Today salvation has come to this house," Jesus told him, "because he too is a son of Abraham. (10) For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

This is why baptism is so closely associated with salvation that many believe (though our elders do not) that it is required for salvation. Baptism is the first step of obedience. It is our first mitzvah. It is the outward expression of an inward state. It is our chance to make a public stand against our former ways.

This is not “salvation by works”. Justification comes by grace through faith alone. However, true justification must lead to good works or genuine repentance has not occurred.

• Ephesians 2:8-10 HCSB For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift-- (9) not from works, so that no one can boast. (10) For we are His creation--created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

2. Repentance is emotional, cognitive and volitional. (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27)

We are told to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

· Matthew 22:37 HCSB He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

· Mark 12:30 HCSB Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

· Luke 10:27 HCSB He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

True repentance entails all the definitions mentioned above. Genuine repentance is cognitive in the sense that we must hear and understand the Word. As Paul said,

• Romans 10:14 HCSB But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?

It is emotional in the sense that it should make us abhor our sin. As Jeremiah said,

• Jeremiah 31:19 HCSB After I returned, I repented; After I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.

It is volitional in the sense that that abhorrence drives us to actually turn away from our sins and change. As Elihu said,

• Job 36:9-10 HCSB God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed. (10) He opens their ears to correction and insists they repent from iniquity.

3. Bad News -

a. all of us sin. (1 Kings 8:46)

The great Sage/King Solomon said as he was dedicating the Temple:

• 1 Kings 8:46 HCSB When they sin against You--for there is no one who does not sin--and You are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, and their captors deport them to the enemy's country--whether distant or nearby—

b. God’s holiness requires the destruction of sin – requires our death. (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23)

• Ezekiel 18:4 HCSB Look, every life belongs to Me. The life of the father is like the life of the son--both belong to Me. The person who sins is the one who will die.
• Romans 6:23 HCSB For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

4. Good News - God does not want to punish us. (Ezekiel 18:31-32; 33:11-12)

• Ezekiel 18:31-32 HCSB Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? (32) For I take no pleasure in anyone's death." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. "So repent and live!
• Ezekiel 33:11-12 HCSB Tell them: As I live"--the declaration of the Lord GOD--"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel? (12) "Now, son of man, say to your people: The righteousness of the righteous person will not save him on the day of his transgression; neither will the wickedness of the wicked person cause him to stumble on the day he turns from his wickedness. The righteous person won't be able to survive by his righteousness on the day he sins.

5. He has given us the ability to repent. It is a gift from God. (Romans 2:4-6)

The requisite faith and its accompanying ability to repent are gifts of God. Brother Paul taught,

• Romans 2:4-6 HCSB Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (5) But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed. (6) He will repay each one according to his works:

Notice that the gifts of God’s mercy lead to repentance. Did you further notice that if this does not lead to works that God will repay us accordingly?

6. So repentance is not achieved but received. (1 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 6:14)

In any case, though it does involve personal effort and works, ultimately repentance is not achieved but received. It is not MERELY a humanly empowered effort but a response to the enabling work of God. As always, God is prevenient and no man can boast.

• 1 Corinthians 4:7 HCSB For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn't receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn't received it?
• Ephesians 2:8-9 HCSB For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift-- (9) not from works, so that no one can boast.
• 1 Corinthians 1:29 HCSB (29) so that no one can boast in His presence.
• 2 Corinthians 10:17 HCSB (17) So the one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
• Galatians 6:14 HCSB But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

7. He has also given us the gift of mercy in the form of the Messiah. (Romans 5:6-8; Daniel 9:25-26)

• Romans 5:6-8 HCSB For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For rarely will someone die for a just person--though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. (8) But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!

Just as the prophet Daniel foresaw:

• Daniel 9:25-26 HCSB Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince will be seven weeks and 62 weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat, but in difficult times. (26) After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed.

8. True repentance means not only stopping our sin but coming alongside God in His ministry of reconciliation. (2 Timothy 2:24-26; John 14:15, 23-24; 15:10; 1 John 5:2-3; 2 John 1:6)

Paul taught that…

• 2 Timothy 2:24-26 HCSB The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, (25) instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. (26) Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will.

The Lord’s slaves should instruct others gently in the hopes that God would grant them repentance to know the truth. This was not only so the sinners may come to their senses but that they would be actually be able to escape the Devil’s traps. Again we see that the intellectual and emotional assent, if they are real, lead to actual change.

Listen to what our Master’s instructs. He told us exactly how we could identify true love. He said,

• John 14:15 HCSB "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
• John 14:23-24 HCSB Jesus answered, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (24) The one who doesn't love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me.
• John 15:10 HCSB If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commands and remain in His love.

The Apostle John remembered these instructions well and strove to pass them on to the next generation of Believers. He said:

• 1 John 5:2-3 HCSB This is how we know that we love God's children when we love God and obey His commands. (3) For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden,
• 2 John 1:6 HCSB And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love.