True Repentance
Too often we find many who are unwilling to repent. However, there are those that are so dedicated to the truth than when they find they are in error will repent. What are some of the conditions for repentance? What should be expected of them when they repent? What must be the attitude of those in the church about repentance? How are Christians supposed to act when someone repents? These are a few of the questions we must be able to answer if we are going to get people to repent properly.
Repentance should not be a touchy issue. Repentance is commanded in the same manner as worship and initial obedience to the truth. Certainly when one looks into the perfect law of liberty and finds themselves wanting then they must change. Thankfully, the Lord provided a path for man to follow. 2 Corinthians 7:10 - For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. The opportunity provided by godly sorrow to work repentance should appeal to all of us. It is by this type of sorrow that we put ourselves back into the hands of God. We are taught that grace of God is able to save the sinner and knowing the immutable promises of God we read 1 John 1:7-10. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. The conditions of repentance are simple. We must find godly sorrow within our hearts. This godly sorrow works within us to bring us back into the light of God’s grace. Our journey back into the light culminates when we confess and plead for forgiveness for our sins to God.
God expects certain things while we walk along this journey. Luke 9:62 explains the nature of repentance in context of 1 John 1:7-10. For once we enter the light we must soak up its radiance and walk continually there in. The warning of Luke 9:62 reveals that it must be our desire never to return to the sin that so easily ensnared us. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.( Luke 9:62). The heart being changed then is a part of the expectation of repentance. Repentance is not something that is necessarily down in an outward manner but done inwardly. Consider what Jesus says about the repentance of the hypocrite and his counterpart according to Matthew 6:5-6.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly ( Matthew 6:5-6).
The final expectation of the Lord comes in the realm of how one executes his repentance. James 5:16 provides us with a general command. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. However, many may ask to what extent should we confess our faults to one another? Another way to ask this question would be; how public should our repentance be? Certainly if we were to examine Matthew 18:15-17, then we can be certain about the nature of repentance.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican ( Matthew 18:15-17).
From this scripture we read that as public as the sin is the repentance needs to be as well. Verse 15 precludes the nature of sin that is between brothers in Christ to be repented of between them. However, if the sin is established in the minds of the people then there must be witness to the repentance (verses 16-17). This is done so that the truth about repentance can be established as credible and faithful.
It is therefore necessary to examine the churches responsibility toward repentance. Too often erring Christians fail to repent of public sin because of fear. Whatever the reasons of that fear the brethren need to utilize meekness and gentleness in such a way as to facilitate the ability of Christians to make public confessions of repentance. We need to be more encouraging and supportive of those that have fallen away and are returning. James 5:19-20 teaches us the proper attitude. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins ( James 5:19-20). The intended joy one finds in saving a soul from death is the attitude we need. Repentance should be treated with joy and happiness knowing that someone has just escaped the fires of the second death.
In a practical manner we can show our joy for the salvation of a lost soul but being proactive in their recovery. One of four jobs a Christian can do in the body of Christ is exhort, Romans 12:1-9. This exhortation requires something more than simple words. When a soul is saved he needs to be built up again. He needs someone’s constant attention and guidance to help him with his growth. He needs to be treated as a new convert, where someone is constantly there to listen to the pain of temptation and trials. Someone needs to take the time to include him in their daily lives by means of a daily call asking them about their recovery, a knock on the door to see if there is anything they can do, or an email with scriptural reminders that they are being encouraged not to fall back into temptation. Of course there is more that can be done but let us never forget that we are responsible for one another and in the manner of repentance we bear one another’s burdens and in doing so fulfill the law of Christ , Galatians 6:2.
Posted in: Bible Pattern, Bible Study, Christian Doctrine, Christian Living, Conversion, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Fundamentals, Justification, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Spirituality, Success, Wisdom