PICL UNIT #1
Repentance
Repentance is more than shedding a tear because you feel sorry for what you have done.
* Repentance is a change of mind, or a change of heart and attitude concerning sin and our relationship with God.
* It means a complete change of direction.
* It is the changing of the mind, the directing of the emotions to urge the required change, and the action of the will in turning the whole man away from sin.
Repentance must incorporate a change of mind because, since the fall of Adam, the mind of man has been rebellious against God and His commandments. The mind of natural man (unsaved man) desires to go its own way instead of the way of God.
* Ephesians 2:3
* Colossians 1:21
* 2 Corinthians 4:4
* Romans 8:5-7
FACT: to go the way our natural mind dictates will lead us away from God and, ultimately, to eternal death. Therefore, there must be a change of mind.
* Proverbs 12:14
* Jeremiah 10:23
* Luke 15:11-24
True repentance is coming to our senses like to Prodigal son. We make the decision in our minds (the root of repentance) to change the direction we are heading and turn our course around toward God. We turn our backs on sin and embrace God and His ways. Like the Prodigal son, we turn to the Father and return home through repentance.
Repentance will ways produce change that is pleasing to God.
* Matthew 3:8
The “fruits of repentance” are evidenced in:
* Godly sorrow for sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)
* confession of sin (Psalm 32:1-5)
* forsaking of sin (Proverb 28:13)
* hatred of sin (Ezekiel 36:31-33)
False concepts regarding repentance:
* Repentance is not the same as conviction of sin. Conviction precedes repentance and, the fact of the matter is, not all who are convicted repent.
* Repentance is not the same as worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow is simply being sorry “for getting caught,” but not sorry for the crime committed.
* Repentance is not reformation. Reformation is turning over a “new leaf,” but not genuine repentance.
* Repentance is not being religious.
* Repentance is not merely acceptance to a set of creeds or doctrines.
Repentance is at the vanguard of the gospel message:
* John the Baptist commanded men to repent. (Matthew 3:1-2)
* Jesus began by commanding men to repent. (Matthew 4:17)
* The 12 apostles preached that men should repent. (Mark 6:12)
* Peter preached repentance on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:37-38)
* Paul preached repentance to the Jews and Greeks. (Acts 20:21)
* It is the first principle and foundation of the doctrines of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2)