WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

 

KEY BIBLE STUDIES IN BRIEF FOR THE FAMILY

 

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REPENTANCE

 Rev. William L. Sciscoe, The Church Triumphant of Columbus

 

KEY VERSE ~ ACTS 17:30

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent…” (KJV)

 

FOCUS ~ The very first step in the life of an individual coming to Christ is repentance. Although some think that this merely involves one asking God to forgive them, there is more. We cannot come to God except His Spirit draws us. So, repentance truly is an act of grace and mercy from God. 

 

 

 

REPENT comes from the Greek word “Metanoia” which is made up of two words:

1.   Meta: meaning change

2.   Nous:  mind

 

When one repents, he or she has a change of mind, a turning away from sin, and the practice of it. You must decide to turn from your ways and follow Christ. We will need to ask some questions so that you will have an understanding of what true repentance is and what it means. We will then look to the Word of God for answers.

 

What is “repentance?”

  • Repentance is changing your mind. It is acknowledging and admitting to God that you have sinned and being convicted, or having a penitent heart, for the things that you have done. It is a turning away from where you are and going in another direction.

 

Who should repent?

  • Everyone! Acts 17:30 gives the command for “all men” everywhere to repent. No one is exempt from repentance. The Bible declares in Romans 3:23 that… “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We were all born into sin according to Psalm 51:5. In Luke 5:23, Jesus came to call “sinners to repentance.”

 

Is repentance necessary?

  • Yes! Luke 13:3 says, “but unless you repent (change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally.” (AMP)

 

When should I repent?

  • One should repent when the Spirit of God beckons him. The Word of God says in, John 6:44, that you cannot even come to God except His Spirit draws you. So, when the “…Godly sorrow worketh repentance” mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:10 moves on you, repent!          

 

How do we repent?

  • Acknowledge your sin, humbly confess it to God, turn around, make an about face, then ask for forgiveness and mercy. (Psalms 51:1) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

Ask Him to cleanse you from your wrongdoing, and tell Him that if you have hurt Him, you are sorry. If God has drawn you to Him and convicted you, it is the His will for you to be forgiven. You are then in alignment with His word. Welcome back into the family of God.

 

Repentance is the sweetest message in the Bible because it opens the doors to the rest of what He has for you.

 

 

Additional scriptures to study

Matthew 3: 8             

Matthew 9:13

Mark 1:4                   

Luke 24:47

Acts 11:18                 

Hebrews 12:17

2 Peter 3:9