What Is Entailed In Repentance?
by: Ivie Powell
As one studies the sacred text, he quickly sees that where there is no repentance there is no salvation! "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19). "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30).
Repentance has always been a part of God’s teaching whether in the Old or New Testament dispensation. Jonah was sent to preach what God bade him to preach (Jonah 3:2). As a result Ninevah repented (Jonah 3:5-10). John the Baptist preached repentance (Mark 1:4). Jesus preached repentance (Matt. 4:17). Peter on the day of Pentecost responded to the question, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" by saying: "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:37-38). Without question, where there is no repentance, there can be no salvation!
Observe that repentance was not a message limited to the alien sinner. Simon, who had obeyed the gospel (Acts 8:13), tried to buy miraculous power and was told to "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee" (Acts 8:22). Five of the seven churches of Asia did not meet with God’s approval and were told to repent (Rev. 2-3). So repentance is for the erring child of God individually, or a congregation in error collectively, as well as for alien sinners!
Because there are so many false concepts as to what constitutes true, genuine repentance, it is necessary to discuss what repentance is not.
1. Repentance is not just being sorry. One can be sorry he was caught doing wrong and not repent. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul gives us the following information: "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
2. Nor is repentance simply making a confession.
3. Neither is the fact that one prays, evidence that he has repented.
4. Because one decides to reform his life does not mean that he has repented.
5. Some have the idea that if they start carrying out good works, that this is evidence they have repented, but not necessarily so.
6. Others affirm that they have repented because of a mysterious feeling.
7. Still some believe they have repented because they are gloomy or regret things they have done. Judas, in Matthew 27:3, is said to have "repented." However an examination of metamelomai (W. E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p.280), shows that Judas merely regretted his sins and did not genuinely repent.
8. Repentance is not merely being aware of sins or being fearful. Felix and Drusilla heard a soul-stirring sermon in which Paul: ". . .reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come," and Felix trembled, and answered, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:25), but there is nowhere any evidence they repented.
9. Some people try to literally move away and start afresh thinking that this is repentance.
10. And some will even go down the isle making an "If I have sinned" statement. Now these things do not, in and of themselves, constitute true, genuine repentance!
It is absolutely essential that one clearly understands what is involved in genuine repentance! Whether it is the sin of adultery, fornication, idolatry, hatred, drunkenness, lying, gossip, covetousness, homosexuality, forsaking the assembling of the saints, teaching false doctrine, etc. one must not only change his mind, but his conduct! As a matter of fact, metanoeo is the Greek word that accurately describes what is involved in repentance. It means "A change of mind" ( W. E. Vine, pp. 279-280). That it involves a change of conduct is self evident. Note Matthew 21:28-29 where the man had a change of mind that resulted in a change of conduct. It is truly amazing that many who do not have any difficulty in seeing that genuine repentance demonstrates itself by restitution . . .except when it comes to marriage, divorce and remarriage! How does one demonstrate that he has repented? John gives the answer: "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for (i.e., worthy of, or in keeping with) repentance" (Matt. 3:8). What did the Thessalonians do in demonstrating their repentance? Scripture says they ". . .turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (I Thess. 1:9). In Acts 19:19, the Ephesians burned their books of witch craft, thus showing they had repented. The Corinthians repented of their sinful practices as stated in I Corinthians 6:9-11.
What must practicing homosexuals do to repent? What must a couple who have never been married, but living together, do to repent? What if a man steals another man’s car, watch, money and wife? Does he have to give any of them up if he repents? Few have any difficulty seeing that the practicing homosexuals and the couple cohabitating must cease living in those situations, yet when it comes to stealing another’s wife or husband, they willfully blind themselves to God’s truth.
Yes, the emotional strain in breaking up adulterous marriages blinds many to God’s truth. Let it be clearly understood that it is NOT the fault of God they are in that situation. Nor is it being unloving, legalistic, and Pharisaical to present the truth! If one wants to please God, they must follow His instructions (Matt. 7:21; 10:34-38)! Beloved, God’s grace is not going to overlook or override adulterous marriages! If so, then why by the same token, wouldn’t His grace overlook stealing, lying, and all the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21?! Furthermore, if His grace is going to overlook and override these sins, why won’t it do the same regarding those who have never obeyed the gospel?!
All elders and preachers need to be reminded that God will hold them responsible for failing to teach the truth on marriage, divorce and remarriage! A question that is crucial for the church of our Lord today is: "What can be done to counteract the alarming divorce rate among God’s people?" The answer is simple – do the same thing that was done in years gone by when divorce was almost unheard of among the Lord’s people:
The reason why many elderships do not implement these four areas, is not that they don’t believe them, but rather they have let the situation go so far, for so many years, they are afraid of dividing the church. In truth, they are only reaping what they have sown!
No, God has not changed His mind about marriage, divorce and remarriage, but unfortunately, many brethren have! Elders and preachers (as well as all Christians) must truly love God, Christ, the church, and the souls of all men enough to kindly and lovingly proclaim the truth on this subject, as well as on all subjects! "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10). "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16). "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:1-2). The eternal welfare of our souls lies in the balance!