The Application of Redemption in the Conversion of a soul : Repentance.

While Faith in Christ looks to the future, repentance looks at the past life and actions.

A Litmus Test for True Repentance

Memorize:

2Co 7:9  Now I rejoice, not in your grief, but because the grief led to repentance; for you sorrowed with a godly sorrow, which prevented you from receiving injury from us in any respect.

2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, a repentance not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world finally produces death.

Mat 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance;

Questions for Research and Review.

1. What does it mean to repent?
2. What is the main motivation for turning to God in Repentance?
3. How does a person under conviction of guilt mend his ways and turn to God?
4. What did Jesus preach in the Villages of Israel? Explain.

Mat_3:2  and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Mat_4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Mat_11:20  Then He began to upbraid the cities in which most of His mighty works were done, because they did not repent.

Mat_21:32  For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax-collectors and the harlots believed him. And when you had seen it, you did not repent afterwards so that you might believe him.

Definition of Repentance

“The true sorrow for sin, with a sincere turning away from it.”

“The conviction of guilt produced by the Holy Spirit’s application of the Divine Law to the heart.

A little boy once said, “It is being sorry enough to quit.” Myer Pearlman. Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible pps. 223-224

There are three elements which constitute Scriptural Repentance.: They are intellectual; emotional and practical.

Illustration. (1) A traveler learns that he is on the wrong train; this knowledge corresponds to the intellectual element by which a person realises, through the preach of the true Gospel, that he is not right with God.

(2). The traveller is disturb with this discover; he is annoyed and distraught. This illustrates the emotional side of repentance which is self-accusation and a sincere sorrow for having offended God. This is produced by the Convicting Power of the Holy Spirit.

(3). He leaves the train at the first possible opportunity and returns till he gets on the right train. This illustrates the practical side of repentance which involves “a complete about face” and a travelling now in God's right direction.

One Greek word for repentance means literally:” a change of mind and a change of purpose”. The Convicted sinner now purposes to mend his ways and turn to God.

He brings for fruit meet for repentance. Matthew 8:3 above.

Repentance honours Gods Law as faith honours the Gospel.

In contrition it mourns over its departure from the holy commandment and over personal defilement revealed in its light. In true confession he acknowledges the justice of the sentence; then in repentance he turns from his sin and makes all ammendment and reparation as possible and necessary under the circumstances.

Zaccheus returned stolen money to those he had fleeced. Some need to return unpaid taxes to the ATO.

The Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the Conscience, by touching the heart and strengthening the will and determination to turn from sin.