2 Cor 10:10-11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of... For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
The question we want to consider today is regarding ‘works of repentance’. Some people claim that to add repentance to the gospel message is to add works to salvation and is anathematized by scripture as another gospel. Others claim to add repentance to the gospel message is to add works to salvation and therefore salvation is in fact by our works! Both err in either self-righteousness or lasciviousness. (These Laodicean days people think Christians have liberty to sin.)
Jesus said... I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mt.9:13) and again, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3,5) After his resurrection he instructed the apostles when speaking of that ‘great salvation’ (Heb.2:3) “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Lk.24:47) Indeed “goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Rom.2:4) Thus, repentance is necessary in order that one not perish in their sins but be converted.
But it is indeed a fact that we are justified by faith without works as well. (Rom.3:28,4:5,5:1, Gal.2:16,3:11,24, etc.) So, how are we to understand scriptures which state that we are to “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”? (Matt. 3:8) This can’t be brushed into a hyper-dispensational resolution to the Jews, for Paul “shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20 And again, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21 And since the gospel was to be preached in all the world to every creature, (Mk.16:15) God “now commandeth all men every where to repent”. (Acts 17:30) “Repent ye therefore, and be converted...” Acts 3:19
Works suitable or meet for repentance are instructed first by the Lord and then confirmed unto us by them that heard him. But the fruit of repentance must be preceded by a root. Repentance is defined in scripture as to “be persuaded”. Lk.16: 29-31 “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Once a person is persuaded in their mind of a thing their actions will likewise change. Fruit or works come forth that are suitable for repentance or commensurate to or proportionate with their sin. We naturally are suspect when someone’s grief seems to be inadequate to their loss or pain. Police investigators will suspect a person of foul play whose loved one has been killed when they do not seem to be grieving in a manner that would be natural. In scripture we see various reactions indicating remorse and repentance. We see people in scripture who have godly sorrow and heaviness, abhor and loathe themselves in shame, confessing their sins and praying for mercy and forgiveness.
Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Jeremiah 31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Ezek.36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
We are to follow the Lord’s pattern with our brethren regarding repentance and forgiveness.
Lk.17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (As the Lord forgives us- Mt.6:14-5, 18:35)
Prv.28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Confessing sin is also fruit worthy of repentance- Mt.3:6, Mk.1:5, 1 Jn.1:9, Lev.5:5.
Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. V15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Notice persuasion is in the mind- and repenting is being persuaded: Rom.14:5 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Luke 16:30-1 ... they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Act 19:26 …Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: Ezek.14:6 …Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. Ezek.18:30 …Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.v27 "when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed", v28 "he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die." v31 "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed"
Repentance is a casting down where faith is a rebuilding.
Matt. 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. v32 and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Ac. 11:18 ... saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
In figure or in type, John the Baptist preceded Jesus Christ just like repentance precedes faith: Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Baptism was a fruit or work of repentance. It was something they did by faith to indicate that they believe God’s counsel declaring He is right. Lk. 7:29-30 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
Christians believe the gospel of Jesus Christ after repenting (being persuaded) of their rebellion and are born again. That is, they receive the life of God by His Spirit. (Ac.8:35-8, 1 Jn.4:15, 5:1) They then are baptized by faith to demonstrate their repentance toward God and their faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Their justification and new birth are in a moment in the heart when it turns to the Lord in faith. Faith is a simple act of the will in response to the will of the Spirit of God. A union of wills. Faith in your heart follows being persuaded in your mind of the truth of God (repentance). Fruits are then manifested from these roots.
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