Is Repentance a Dirty Word? Part 2
Acts 2:36-38
Richard Tow 7/31/16
When I say the word “repent” what thoughts come to your mind? Does the word bring up pleasant feelings or unpleasant feelings? Does it sound like an attack or an invitation? Do you associate “repentance” with “opportunity for something better”?
I am dealing with the subject of repentance because the Devil has convinced many people that there is something hyper religious and bad about the word. Yet the Bible speaks of repentance as the gateway to something better for you and me. The opportunity and the capacity to repent is one of the greatest gifts we can receive from God. And it is an essential element in the Kingdom of God.
Week before last, we saw how (1) Repentance is essential to our message of the gospel. Before His ascension, Jesus appeared to His disciples and told them what He wanted them to preach. Luke 24:45-47, “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”1 Remission is synonym of forgiveness. So, what is to be preached in His name? “repentance and remission of sins.” We explored the link between repentance and forgiveness and found that they are two sides of the same coin. The message is repentance and forgiveness; not just forgiveness with no repentance. Repentance is the response to God’s grace that opens the heart to receive forgiveness. If the heart is hard and unresponsive to God’s grace, then there can be no forgiveness of sin. So we preach forgiveness through the cross of Jesus Christ; but that forgiveness comes in conjunction with a turning to God and a turning from sin.
Think about the Lord’s Prayer. In it we ask God to “Forgive us our debts (sins)….” But there are two other requests that tie repentance with that request for forgiveness. One is “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” That is saying to God, “I don’t want sin; I don’t even want to be tempted with it.” The other petition is “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done….” The prayer Jesus taught includes not only a request for forgiveness, but a commitment to the will of God, as well. And we have revelation of His will in the Bible. I’m hoping you see from Scripture the error of assuming forgiveness of sin when there is no repentance from that sin.
So Repentance is essential to forgiveness.
Today I want to share three more facts about repentance that we did not have time to address in the last message.
I. Repentance is essential to salvation.
Of all the things we want to be sure about, salvation is at the top of the list. You don’t want to gamble on your eternal destiny. You want to search the Scriptures and know exactly what God has said about salvation. Eternity is a very long time.2
What must I do to be saved? On the Day of Pentecost that question was asked. A crowd gathered when they heard the 120 speaking in tongues. Peter used that opportunity to preach Christ. Listen to the conclusion of his message in Acts 2:36. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Think about how confrontational Peter’s words were to those people, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Verse 37 “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’" We’re guilty before God. What shall we do? Peter’s response is in verse 38 “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins….” If they were to be saved, what would they need to do? First they would need to turn from their old ways; they must repent. Then make a public confession of Christ via water baptism. In that context they would receive forgiveness of sins. Notice again the link between repentance and forgiveness of sins. The two go hand-in-hand.
In Mark 6 Jesus sent His apostles out to minister. Mark 6:7 “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” Notice the connection in verses 12-13 between repentance and deliverance. “So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” All the good things they were able to do for those people in ministry were connected with the call to repentance. Repentance is essential to salvation.
The Greek word translated “repent” is metanoeo. It means to change your mind.3 It involves a change in thinking that results in a change in behavior. Paul’s conversion is a profound example of repentance. He is on the road to Damascus killing and imprisoning Christians. He encounters Christ, and does an “about face”. Instead of opposing the Lord, he surrenders to Him and follows His commands. Repentance is more than an apology for doing wrong. It’s a commitment to do otherwise. And that commitment comes out of seeing things differently.
In 2 Cor. 7:10 Paul commended the Church at Corinth for their repentance. He wrote, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” In verse11 Paul lists seven things true repentance produces. We will not take the time to go into those. But notice two things in verse 10: (1) the progression from godly sorrow to repentance to salvation and (2) the contrast between godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world. What is the difference? Of course, the end result is very different. Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, whereas the sorrow of the world produces death. Is there a kind of sorrow for sin in the world? Yes, it revolves around self: sorrow about getting caught, sorrow about the consequences of bad decisions, etc. There can be sorrow and tears without genuine repentance. Esau was sorry that he lost his birthright. Judas regretted the consequences of his actions.4 But it was not sorrow that led to genuine change of heart. People
car and make a bad choice, I may have transportation problems and that will be more significant than the fruit decision. If a person makes a bad choice of the person to marry that will be even more consequential. But the decision that will be of most consequence is my choice concerning eternal salvation.
can feel very sorry for themselves and regret what was done, yet still not have a truly repentant heart. An added problem is this: because they feel bad, they may even think they have repented. But godly sorrow produces change: a change in the way the person is thinking, changed attitudes, changed lifestyles, changed behavior. Godly sorrow involves the conviction of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:37 they were pricked in their hearts when Peter talked about “Jesus, whom you crucified.” Their eyes were opened as to what they had done. Godly sorrow sees the particular sin differently. It sees it as an unjust affront toward the authority and goodness of God. It sees it as destructive to others as well as self. Godly sorrow says, “No more of that for me. God help me stay clear of that sin from now on.”
A 17th Century minister named William Secker wrote a piece that someone has entitled “Weeping with an Onion” that clarifies the distinction between godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world. “Some have tears enough for the outward losses, but none for their inward lusts: they can mourn for the evil that sin brings, but not for the sin which brings the evil. Pharaoh more lamented the hard strokes which were upon him, than the hard heart that was within him. Esau mourned not because he sold his birthright, which was his sin, but because he lost the blessing, which was his punishment. This is like weeping with an onion, the eye sheds tears because it smarts.”5
Genuine repentance is a gift from God: not only the opportunity to repent, but the grace to repent, as well. I entitled this message, “Is Repentance a Dirty Word?” It seems like even in the Church many view repentance as something bad. In Scripture it is viewed as privilege! In Acts 5 the apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin. When the Sanhedrin told them to stop preaching in Jesus’ name, they answered and said (Acts 5:29) "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” The gift of repentance and forgiveness of sin!6 Later when Peter told the apostles how God had poured out His Spirit on the house of Cornelius, Acts 11:18 says “… they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.’” Notice two things in their comment. First, repentance is seen as a wonderful gift, granted by God. Second, it is the gateway/door/entry to life (repentance to (into) life).”7
And the opportunity for repentance is not to be presumed upon. In His rebuke of the Church at Thyatira (Rev 2:18) Jesus talked about a Jezebel there who was seducing God’s people into sexual immorality and idolatry and the judgement that was decreed upon her. Then He said this, “And I gave her time (KJV space) to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.” Just because the judgement has not come, does not mean it won’t come.
The one way to miss the judgement is to turn from the sin and turn to God for mercy. God gave Israel extensive opportunity before He sent them into captivity. He sent prophet after prophet to call them to repentance. But there came a day when that opportunity was gone and judgement came. Zephaniah called upon Israel to gather in repentance toward God (2:2) “[he time for repentance is speeding by like chaff whirled before the wind!] Therefore consider, before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you—yes, before the day of the wrath of the Lord comes upon you! ” (Amplified Bible).
This is the call in America today. Now is a time of preparation. It is an opportunity to get things right and avoid the judgement that is coming on this country. Some will; most won’t. But the opportunity is here and now. In the next verse Zephaniah speaks specifically as to what they should do. Zeph. 2:3 “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger.” The key to averting God’s judgement is repentance—a change of mind that turns the person in the right direction.8 God provides a window of opportunity for that. He did that for Nineveh through the prophet, Jonah. They took advantage of that opportunity and repented.
I am amazed at what we see in the book of Revelation as judgement falls on the earth. All kinds of plagues and sorrows coming on people, yet over and over we’re told how they refuse to repent. Revelation 9 talks about judgements that wipe out one third of the world’s population. Then verse 20 says, “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries [pharmakeus] or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” Misery alone does not necessarily lead to repentance. Often people simply harden themselves against God. In Revelation 16 the heat of the sun intensifies and scorches men and deep darkness comes. What do these people do? They gnawed on their tongues in agony and cursed God instead of calling on Him for mercy. Rev 16:11 says, “They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.” Repentance is essential to salvation and they refuse to take that route.
II. Repentance is essential to biblical faith.
Real faith always acts in accordance with the professed belief. So if I believe Jesus is Lord then I will do what He says for me to do. If I’m calling Him Lord, but don’t really respond to Him as Lord, then I really don’t believe He is Lord! In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matt 7:21-23). A faith that leaves a person in a lawless state of rebellion and independence from God is not a saving faith. Faith that saves is repentant faith.8
If I had a million dollars in the stock market, and you sent me a message saying a week from today the market will crash and lose 40% of its value. What would I do if I really believed that message? I would stop buying stock. I would start selling all my stock immediately. Real faith would be accompanied with repentance—a change in direction.
In Acts 20 Paul told the elders at Ephesus that he had been teaching publically and from house to house, (verse 21) “testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” are two sides of the same coin. In Scripture repentance is always mentioned first, but they are essentially two sides of the same action. Repentance is the response of faith and faith is entered into through repentance. In Acts 19:4 Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
You will find places in Scripture where only one side of that is stated. But in all those cases the other side is assumed. For example, Matthew’s account in 4:17 says Jesus was preaching saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Repentance is mentioned but the passage says nothing about believing. Mark’s account fills us in by stating both sides. Mark 1:15 "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
When the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. Their answer in Acts 16:31 was "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." They don’t specifically say repent. Repentance is assumed in their concept of believing. If you’re believing on Jesus as Lord, then you’re turning your life over to Him. We see repentance in all that follows. He humbly cleaned their wounds. He and his household were baptized. Water baptism is a public declaration that the person is putting away the old life to live in newness of life.9 Biblical faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin.
III. Repentance is essential to revival.
Peter concluded his sermon in Acts 3:19 saying, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” People are longing for God to send revival so that everyone can get right with Him. But this verse indicates that repentance paves the way for revival. “Repent…so that times of refreshing may come….”
God sent John the Baptist with a call for repentance as a preparation for the coming of Messiah. His message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”10 The kingdom of God is here; open your heart to it through repentance. Turn from sin, to God; and experience the kingdom refreshing.
I am becoming more and more convinced that repentance is the key to entering into more and more from the hand of God. It’s not a dirty word. It is a wonderful invitation to more of God, more joy, more love, more peace, greater anointing for ministry. The deeper my repentance, the igher I can go in God. I don’t just want forgiveness of sin; I want the change of heart that goes with it.11 I want the gift of repentance fully operational in my mind and soul. “God, give me a repentant heart. Change my thinking until it lines up with Your thinking. Get me ready for the great things You’re about to do.”
Invitation
NOTES:
1 All Scripture quotes are from the New King James Version unless indicated otherwise.
2 In this life we make decisions of various importance. The other day I bought some cherries at Sam’s. When I got to the car I noticed they had mildew all over the bottom of them. I had made a bad choice of fruit. I took it back in and got my money back. But even if I hadn’t done that, the mistake would only cost $ 6 or $ 7. If I buy a
3 NT:3340 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)8 The issue is not how bad the sin is; but whether the person has turned from going his own way to going God’s way. “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). In Luke 13 some people were telling Jesus about a horrific event that had happened. Some Galileans had created a disturbance and Pilate sent his soldiers to deal with the rebellion. While these Galileans were offering sacrifices, the soldiers attacked and killed them, mingling their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing. It was an awful scene. Luke 13:2 “And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." The issue is not how bad the sin is; but whether the person has turned from going his own way to going God’s way. Those telling this story were thinking these Galileans must have committed horrible sins to come to this kind of end. But Jesus wants them to understand that everyone has to repent whether the sin seems horrific or rather benign. Going our own way instead of complete surrender to God is the problem. “God commands all men to repent” (Acts 17:30).
4 Heb. 12:16-17; Matt. 27:3-5.
5 William Secker, The Nonsuch Professor in His Maridian Splender (Chicago: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1899) pp.124-125.
6 Notice in this verse, it’s a package deal: repentance and forgiveness, not just forgiveness.
7 The Greek word translated life is zoe. The word is being used here emphatically to indicate the God kind of life, not just biological life and not just existing forever. Through repentance God grants access to the Kingdom life that is abundant, rich, and full—characterized by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). See NT:2222 (from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft).
8 The issue is not how bad the sin is; but whether the person has turned from going his own way to going God’s way. “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). In Luke 13 some people were telling Jesus about a horrific event that had happened. Some Galileans had created a disturbance and Pilate sent his soldiers to deal with the rebellion. While these Galileans were offering sacrifices, the soldiers attacked and killed them, mingling their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing. It was an awful scene. Luke 13:2 “And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." The issue is not how bad the sin is; but whether the person has turned from going his own way to going God’s way. Those telling this story were thinking these Galileans must have committed horrible sins to come to this kind of end. But Jesus wants them to understand that everyone has to repent whether the sin seems horrific or rather benign. Going our own way instead of complete surrender to God is the problem. “God commands all men to repent” (Acts 17:30).
9 Rom. 6:1-7.
10 Matt. 3:2
11 Isaiah
