Repent Of What? Why? What does repent mean? What in the world do you have to repent of? Why should you repent? How do you repent? WHAT DOES REPENT MEAN? To repent means to have a complete change in your heart and mind to the extent that your course through life will be altered. That is if you repent you will be going a different direction, making different choices and desiring different things. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. It just may be that the direction your life is going is not the best way. In fact according to the Bible you are most likely at odds with God and may even be His enemy. James 4:4...whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO REPENT OF? Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; The Bible tells us that we are all sinners. That means that we have broken God’s law. 1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. We have all stolen, or lied, or broken one or more of the commandments of God. This makes us guilty of the whole law of God and places us under the imminent judgement of a holy and just God. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. We are in danger of being judged by God and sentenced to an eternity in hell. But this is not what God would have for us. God has designed that everyone may be forgiven for breaking His law. He has put in place a method to redeem each of us from this impending judgement. It is by turning from our sin (repentance) and turning to God’s way, that we can be saved from this future judgement. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. God has sent Jesus to make a way for our sins to be forgiven. The Law has been completely fulfilled by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
WHY SHOULD I REPENT? You should repent because God has commanded it, and he requires it. Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. You should repent because you will be condemned when you stand before God at the judgement day. The payment we must give for breaking the Law of God is eternal damnation and punishment. Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Not one person has ever been able to live a sinless life and therefore we are all in danger of the judgement of God. Why would anyone wish to remain an enemy of God, and face certain punishment, when God has provided a way to be forgiven? Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. HOW DOES ONE REPENT? Repentance is simple to accomplish, it simply must be your hearts desire. When you realize that you are in danger of the judgment and know that the cause is your sin, then you need to call on God for salvation.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. It will not be your repentance that will save you and it will not be the words that you pray. When God looks at your heart and sees the desire to be saved He will answer, He will do the work necessary to save you. God’s will is that every person will repent of their sins and accept the sacrifice of Christ. Will you repent and have your sins forgiven today? 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE God, I know I have broken your holy Law and I deserve your righteous judgement. I ask you to forgive me for sinning against you. I confess that I need the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save me. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and through His name I ask to be forgiven.
INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH PO Box 846, Pukekohe 2340 Meeting: Corner of Wesley & Edinburgh St. Mobile 022 177 6021 – PastorTed@1611.org.nz