What is Repentance?

Many understand the term repentance (from the Greek word metanoia) to mean “turning from sin.” This is not the biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19).  Acts 26:20 declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that result in a change of action.

What, then, is the connection between repentance and salvation? The Book of Acts seems to especially focus on repentance in regards to salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent, in relation to salvation, is to change your mind in regard to Jesus Christ. In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), he concludes with a call for the people to repent (Acts 2:38). Repent from what? Peter is calling the people who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their minds about Him, to recognize that He is indeed “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Peter is calling the people to change their minds from rejection of Christ as the Messiah to faith in Him as both Messiah and Savior.

While repentance is not a work that earns salvation, repentance unto salvation does result in works. It is impossible to truly and fully change your mind without that causing a change in action. In the Bible, repentance results in a change in behavior. That is why John the Baptist called people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A person who has truly repented from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ will give evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19-23; James 2:14-26). Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ and turning to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19).

How is genuine repentance brought about?                

Repentance is brought about by godly sorrow. Before a person can repent he must feel sorry for his sins. Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” For someone to be sorry merely because his sins have been found out, or because they have brought trouble upon him, is not enough. A person must be sorry because they have broken the commandments of God, have spurned His gospel, and thereby grieved Him days without number. Such godly sorrow is the only motivating force for real repentance.

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.

Repentance is the act of turning away from a life of sin – not living in your sins.  If a person repents of their sins and is truly sorry they will refrain from repeating those sins. The scriptures stress in the strongest terms, that repentance is absolutely essential to salvation. Jesus said, “Except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Here are a few examples in the Bible of repentance:

          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. New Testament scriptures say that they are set forth as an example to others who live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7).

(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;

     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).

          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).

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

THE BLESSED

The Blessed

Jesus had a central message that formed the basis for His entire ministry and teachings.

He pinpointed this central message in the heart of His most famous sermon—the Sermon on the Mount. He made a statement about what should be the highest priority for His followers: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, emphasis added).

Jesus Christ’s words are clear—the Kingdom of God is to be the No. 1 focus and emphasis in the lives of His followers. In fact, it was the core of His gospel message. Gospel literally means a message of good news.

A study of the Gospel accounts of Christ’s life pinpoints exactly what His message—His gospel—was all about!

Notice Mark 1:14: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” That statement is pretty plain—Jesus preached the gospel about the Kingdom of God!

There are many scriptures that reinforce this fact. For example, Matthew 9:35 says, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom.”

At one point in His ministry, Jesus was about to leave an area where He had been preaching for some time. The people of that area tried to persuade Him not to go (Luke 4:42). Jesus’ response was, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for this reason am I sent.” (verse 43).

Let that sink in.

Jesus Christ said that one of His primary purposes for coming to earth was to preach about the Kingdom of God! That was His gospel. That was His message. That was His purpose. That is what drove Him.

When we understand that the thrust of Christ’s message centered on the Kingdom of God, we understand better why He made the statement in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God.” He tells us to seek first the Kingdom because the Kingdom of God was His primary message.

Throughout the entire Bible this was the central message! John the Baptist preached it, Jesus preached it, and the apostles preached it.

The Sermon on the Mount was the beginning of Jesus’ teachings about that kingdom. Jesus had been announcing that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and He had been calling for people to repent. Now, in what has been described as the manifesto of His kingdom, Jesus unveils the foundations and character of life in His kingdom. Therefore, the Beatitudes are just the characteristics of a child of God.

Matthew 5

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

² And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Other blessed scriptures: 

John 20

²⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

James 1

¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 65

⁴ Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

Psalms 34

⁷ The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. ⁸ O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalms 128:1

1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

Revelation 14

¹² Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. ¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Blessed are those who have died in Christ! (When we are baptized we are buried in Christ)… and their works follow them. What works? The character of life that will show in a child of God! They are blessed!

After Christ was resurrected and ascended to heaven, He founded a Church. The purpose of that Church—that called-out group of people—was to carry on the work He did while on earth. Christ commissioned His Church to go into the entire world and preach the same message that He preached while He was on earth (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:3-8).

The Bible shows that the early Church faithfully followed Christ’s directive and preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Acts 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31).

See next blog "Kingdom of Heaven"

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Many people have heard the term “kingdom of heaven,” but few really understand what it is. While some believe that the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven” are referring to different things, it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing. Jesus when teaching about the kingdom made no distinction between the two terms but seemed to consider them synonymous. Throughout the entire Bible, this was the central message! John the Baptist preached it, Jesus preached it, and the apostles preached it. The coming kingdom of heaven is the message that God wants to make known to every person on earth. The crucial question is: Will you be a part of it?

A lot of people think of the “kingdom of heaven” as heaven. And in a sense it is, but in reality it is much, much more than that. The “kingdom of heaven” begins here on earth. It began the day the “King of kings” was born, Jesus Christ. We will not reach that kingdom in heaven until we “see” the kingdom of God here on earth. Jesus stated, “Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Jesus came preaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Jesus taught while he was here about the kingdom of God – and He spoke about it a lot. He talked about the way His followers could bring heaven to earth. He even taught the disciples to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Heaven is not spatially determined, it is not “up there” while we are “down here,” nor is it to be thought of in terms of time. We think of earth as now, that is, this life. Heaven then, is later – heaven is what comes after death. The more we study Jesus’ ministry the more we realize that he proclaimed the reign of God as something that was “already and not yet” present. Throughout the gospels Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God, sometimes as coming in the future, and sometimes as a present reality. So which is it? How can we understand the apparently divergent themes in Jesus’ preaching of the reign of God? Could it be that Jesus simply contradicted Himself? Did he speak of the kingdom as present and future without realizing it? I doubt it. It’s likely that Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God as somehow both future and present, and that He knew what He was doing.

Jesus taught while he was physically here that the kingdom of heaven is a silent, invisible, spiritual kingdom which lies all about us, encompassing us, enclosing us, embracing us, waiting for us to recognize it. When we enter the kingdom of heaven we recognize that kingdom, we believe it, we act upon its reality. Jesus, in the Beatitudes, gave us the clue to entering. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,“ (Matthew 5:3). Heaven is not merely future, heaven is also present. Heaven is equally real as earth.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, “Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). When we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus Name, and experience new birth through the Holy Ghost, we enter into the kingdom of heaven. We voluntarily place ourselves under the laws and authority of the coming kingdom of God. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). So there is this sense of us being “translated” into the kingdom when we commit our lives to God and begin living as He instructs. Our primary allegiance is transferred from the kingdoms of this world to God’s Kingdom. We are then subject to different laws (God’s laws) and belong to a different community (the Church of God).

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant…” Hebrews 12:22-24

Jesus taught many parables that he likened to the kingdom of heaven. We need to make sure that our description of the kingdom is compatible with the description Jesus gave. Jesus often preached about the kingdom of God—but what did He say?

Through the parables He taught about the grace of God, and also namely the severity of God. This then led us on to see the importance of obedience to God. Some people do not understand the importance of obedience, because they do not understand the severity of God. There is something else many fail to appreciate, and that’s the enormous value of the kingdom of God. People in every nation may possess these true riches if they enter into God’s kingdom. The parables that Jesus told reflect the great value of belonging to the world-wide kingdom of God. Nothing is worth having, that would rob us of that place.

Jesus told two short parables about the value of the kingdom, one about hidden treasure (Mat. 13:44), and the pearl of great price (Mat. 13:45-46). The similarities of these parables make it clear they teach the same lesson—the kingdom of heaven is of inestimable value. Both parables involve a man who sold all he had to possess the kingdom. The treasure and the pearl represent Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. And while we cannot pay for salvation by selling all our worldly goods, once we have found that prize, we are willing to give up everything to possess it.

The most important thing we need to know about the kingdom of heaven is how we get there in the first place—and when Jesus described the kingdom, that is what he talked about. (Consider the parables in Matthew 25) Through the teachings of Jesus we can know how to enter this kingdom, how to live in this kingdom, and how to work in this kingdom, here now on earth! When we die and enter into heaven eternally it will not be unfamiliar. We will already be familiar with the kingdom of God because we entered it here on earth. You won’t be afraid of God because you came to know him, here on earth.

The “kingdom of heaven” is not just the kingdom that exists in heaven, but also the reign of God over both heaven and earth.

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

Bible Studies by Kim

To see other blogs with Bible Studies by me click:

The Children of Israel Bible Study

The Parables of Jesus Bible Study

Bible Stories with Kim

Pondering Upon The Questions Jesus Asked

The Churches of Revelation

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

What Is Your Ultimate Purpose in Life?

Our lives, our beings, even our very breath – comes as gifts from God. Of ourselves we have nothing. All our notions of ownership are an illusion; all our pride, a deception. We are not sovereign but completely dependent. Everything we have – our possessions, our money, our riches, every moment of our lives – everything has been given to us. They are only gifts from God. Everything we “own” is only entrusted. It all belongs to Him, even our days.

Every heartbeat is borrowed. Everything in this world that draws us or repels us, entangles us or compels us, everything we seek after, dwell on, or live for, is temporary, fleeting, and passing away. Therefore the meaning of this life is not found in anything of this life, but only in Him who lies behind it. And the purpose of this life is not found in seeking anything of this life, but only in seeking Him who gave it.

Discovering Your Purpose in Life

Many things can get you down – trials and difficulties that get in the way of a vibrant life. But that can all begin to fade away when you discover your ultimate purpose in life.

There are constant money worries—not to mention increasing violence, racism and the bizarre fixation people have with gender identity.

This stress is compounded by the speed of electronic information, advances in technology and constant changes in social norms.

The result is that many people, no matter their age or economic status, live in a “personal bubble.” We try to stay in this bubble by concentrating on our own immediate pursuit of happiness. We can then pretend that all the chaos and changes are outside the bubble and “don’t really affect me.”

Then reality strikes. Bad news, or some negative personal problem, breaks that bubble and we are overwhelmed with anxiety, fear and a sense that there is no meaning to life.

God doesn’t want you to live that way! He has something better for you.

I want to share with you a remarkable truth that few people know. It’s a truth that can change everything in your life. I’d like to help you discover your ultimate purpose in life.

The purpose of life is not just to be happy

Your life is worth more than you ever imagined! You have a very specific purpose in the universe.

The problem is discovering that purpose. It goes against the social programming you and I have experienced since childhood. We have been programmed to believe that the ultimate purpose in life is the pursuit of happiness.

I’m not saying that happiness is bad. We all want to be happy. Happiness is a gift from God.

But something happens to us when we believe that happiness is the only purpose in life. One result is that when we face job issues, health problems, conflicts in relationships, or when we watch the latest news story about terrorism, the fleeting feelings of happiness dissolve and we mentally and emotionally break down.

If there is a purpose to this life, we must find the answer with the Creator of life.

We are to pursue doing good, pleasing God, following His laws. The unsettling truth about doing what is good verses being happy is not in fashion today. The quest to be happy is more perceptible than the quest for goodness. People don’t want to be weighed down by someone’s view of what is “good.” If there are not clear standards of what is right and wrong, then confusion and frustration must surely follow. The scripture says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint, but happy is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18).

God reveals our ultimate purpose in the Bible

The Bible is the story of everything. It’s about creation—and the Creator who made it all. It’s about God’s desire for children of His own—and humanity’s desire to be independent from our Creator. It’s the story of how Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is working to bring us back to the Creator’s family.

The Bible is about how you personally have a very specific purpose in the universe. This purpose involves an awesome, unbelievable future. It also involves your life right now.

If you want to find true happiness, the road that takes you there is one that is described in the pages of your Bible. Jesus explained to His disciples that the right way is not easy, “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Living your ultimate purpose starts today

The apostle John wrote that we are now the children of God. What does that mean?

Yes, God is offering you a future, but He is also offering you a fulfilling, meaningful life right now. You can have a relationship with God as your Father every day of your life.

God wants to have a personal, one-on-one relationship with you. The ultimate meaning in this life is about your relationship with God. It’s about being God’s child now while looking forward to the promised future.

Regrettably, this good news gets muddied in much Christian preaching today. All too often Christian pulpits preach a health-and-wealth gospel, a cheap grace, a message of “Jesus loves you just the way you are” that leaves people remaining just the way they are and not becoming more like Jesus.

Remember what God inspired Jeremiah to write: “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

You must stop seeking your own purpose by attempting to stay in a bubble of pursuing your self-determined purpose and seek God’s purpose with all of your heart.

Authentic Christianity isn’t a luke-warm, half-hearted, law-ignoring, part-time, warm religious feeling. Authentic Christianity is about being restored to your original purpose. It’s about transformation. It’s about giving up everything to receive everything God will give you (see Luke 14:33; Revelation 21:7).

Authentic Christianity is about being restored to your original and ultimate purpose. It’s about transformation.

Authentic Christianity is about breaking out of the natural human bubble of self-centeredness. It’s not about YOU! It’s about the dynamic force of God in your life, changing you, restoring you to your original purpose, facing life’s difficulties with faith and hope. It’s about finding happiness through loving others.

Your part to play

If you want God’s purpose for your life to become your purpose, then there is something you must do.

A person today must demonstrate more courage than a soldier in war or a fireman entering a burning building. Dealing with confused and lost souls in a shifting social environment is not for wimps, but warriors. Doing what is right, even while under fire, takes courage. You can be a leader to show others the way. Stand fast for goodness and truth, and you will find your purpose, you will find lasting happiness. There have always been temptations and a demonic spirit guiding this present evil world (Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4), it is the courageous ones who will stand in the end.

Your ultimate purpose has been given to you by your Creator

Nobody can make you accept God’s purpose in your life. Many people, when they hear this message, will simply walk away from it.

But if you want God’s purpose for you, what should you do? The next step is receiving power from God to have His purpose fulfilled in your life.

The apostle Peter spoke to a large crowd and told them about the work God is doing through Jesus Christ. When many people were moved to seek God with their hearts, Peter told them to repent, be baptized in Jesus Name and receive the Holy Ghost, that’s God’s Holy Spirit coming to dwell within you (Acts 2:38).

If you don’t know what it means to repent, have never been baptized, or am not sure you have the Holy Ghost (read Plan of Salvation on this blog).

Your life is worth more than you ever imagined! You have a very specific purpose in the universe. But you have a choice in that. The truth is that you don’t have to respond to God’s purpose. You can just keep going on the way you have been and ignore God’s calling to be His child.

But be warned: Jesus told a parable about a man who invited people to a big banquet. The man spared no expense in preparing something that would be the absolute best for his guests. But when the man sent his servant to invite the guests, one by one they gave excuses for not being able to attend.

The excuses seemed like good reasons to the people involved: “I need to take care of my property.” “I have a lot of work to get done.” “I just got married and need to spend more time with my wife.” (Sounds a lot like people today)

What the man was offering his guests was much more wonderful than what they wanted for their lives, but they lived in their little bubbles, selfishly pursuing happiness. They missed out. The host eventually rejected those whom he invited and asked others to attend his banquet instead.

God is offering you His best. He wants you to realize His ultimate purpose for you—to live as His child now and to be changed into His spiritual image forever in His Kingdom.

He wants you to make His purpose your purpose.

Begin to realize your ultimate purpose now!

Will you seize God’s gift? Will you accept the invitation? Or will you find an excuse to pass it by?

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.