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Repentance from Dead Works by J-me (Pt. 3) 6/30/2009 6:43:43 AM
Repentance - the first principle of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ according to Hebrews 6:1-2 What is the purpose of repentance? It prepares man's heart to receive the mercy of God through Jesus Christ.
The following parable that Jesus spoke reveals God's view of repentance.
• Luke 18:9-14, "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes into heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
God calls all to repentance. There is no man that is sinless.
The Pharisee's problem was that he compared himself to others which only leads to pride. He did not humble himself before God.
The Publican saw himself in relation to the holiness of God and knew he could not measure up and placed himself purely in center of God's mercy.
Remember what Jesus said.
• Matthew 9:13, "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
The following points are central to repentance:
1) Man has rebelled and sinned against God. (Romans 3:23)
2) God's wrath remains on men because of their sin (dead works). (Romans 2:18-21)
3) Without repentance all will perish. (Luke 13:1-5)
4) Repentance (Fear of the Lord) teaches men to hate evil and to depart from it. (Proverbs 8:13 and Psalms 34:11-14)
5) Repentance comes with godly sorrow and humbles a man before God. (Luke 18:9-14 and II Corinthians 7:10)
6) Repentance prepares man's heart to receive forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ by turning their heart from sin, and toward the living God. (Matthew 3:1-3 and Acts 3:19)
Repentance is central to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ, and without Repentance is no forgiveness of sins.
