Some Die Once – Many Die Twice [Part 7]
In today’s Part 7 of our series of Blog Posts from our upcoming book titled “One Way or Another Your Eternal Destination is Guaranteed” we will look at the “What is Repentance?”
The first time the Lord Jesus is quoted in the Gospel According to Mark, He said:
Mark 1:15b
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.
A person who is seeking should not be intimidated by those who are believers.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Repentance
There is original repentance which brings a lost soul to be saved for eternity and then there is ongoing confession of sin so that we descendants of Adam can remain in fellowship with God. The first act establishes the new relationship and the second, continuance in fellowship. Paul writes of the ongoing fellowship with respect to the weekly breaking of bread time:
1 Corinthians 11:27-28
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner [without first confessing to God any recent sin—offensiveness to God] will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Afterthought
The word repentance translated from the original Greek word mētanŏia is defined as “afterthought, change of mind, repentance,” and is used of “repentance” from sin or evil. Repentance from sin is the requirement set forth by God on man’s part. This change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God. [Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible © 2001 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Greek mētanŏia translated to the English word repentance Greek Dictionary number 3341 pg. 162].
Repentance or Renewing
In Romans chapter twelve, Paul provides an explanation similar to repentance by using the word renewing, which literally means, “renovating”—or a renewing—of the mind, a change for the better—a noun not a verb. Rather than turning from sin and going to God, as in repentance, it is addressed to those believers who have already turned around and urges them to further please to God:
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Peter pleads with all to repent:
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack [He does not change] concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering [patient] toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Righteousness
In order to be saved from God’s wrath, all sinners, including the Jews, are to repent. Repentance shows agreement with God about the matter of sin. Sincere repenting causes mankind to turn from sin to receive Christ in faith. True repentance is demonstrated by practicing righteousness. (Romans 3:22).
1 John 2:29
If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 John 3:7
Little children [newer believers], let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
Romans 3:21a
But now the righteousness of God…
Romans 3:22a
even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
1 John 3:10a
In this the [adopted] children of God and the children of the devil are manifest [revealed]: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God,
Pray that people will come to the saving knowledge of the Truth before it’s too late, and love their children to teach them the Truth.
Next Blog Post, on September 05, 2024: “What is a Believer and What is an Unbeliever?”
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Resources:
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Gospel Folio Press – William MacDonald – Believers Bible Commentary
Warren Henderson Publishing
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version, unless stated otherwise. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
