Repentance

III.  Repentance

            Repentance was the first of the three steps in God’s plan for salvation, delivered on the day of Pentecost.  It is defined:

Repentance – To experience godly sorrow and conviction for past sins, and resolutely to turn from them.

            Repentance is the act of turning away from a life of sin.  The scriptures stress in the strongest terms, that repentance is absolutely essential to salvation.

Repentance is an action-filled step known to God, to us, and to others—a private and often public step that brings about positive results in our lives.  Because we have a sinful nature and have committed sinful acts, it is essential that we repent and turn to God.

          1.  Sodom and Gomorrah

            (Genesis 19) You can read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah they failed to repent.  Because of this, these cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone.

(2 Peter 2:6 KJV)  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

(Jude 1:7 KJV)  Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

           2.  Jonah

            The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah.  Jesus said this fact would condemn those who refused to repent in our generation.

(Matthew 12:41 KJV)  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

          3.  John the Baptist

            John the Baptist commanded in his ministry to all of Judea that they must repent, and prepare their hearts for the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 3:2 KJV)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

          4.  Jesus Christ

            Jesus spoke often in these terms, “I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

Even after we are born again there will be times of failure, mistakes, and sin.  We must deal with sin and wrongdoing in our lives just as we did before salvation—by repentance.  We are to be overcomers, to live free from sin, and to live above sin.  In reality, we often come short of our goal.  Nevertheless, we are not to continue in sin or commit sins over and over.  God still rules in the heavens and will forgive those who repent, whether they are saints or sinners.  Whatever may happen to us in life, we must always keep a repentant and forgiving spirit alive in our hearts.

               5.  The Great Commission

            Jesus’ last words before His ascension commanded repentance.  “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).

          6.  The Day of Pentecost

            Repentance is the initial part of the plan of salvation as spoken by the Apostle Peter.  “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” (Acts 2:38).

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