Greetings!<\/p>\n
I’ve been struggling to understand repentance. I know it’s commonly taught that we must repent of all sin before we can be saved. However, as I read Romans and some of Paul’s other writings, I find that Paul talks about being made free from sin, putting to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit, being buried with Christ, so we can die to sin, and so on. My question is, if Christ is the one who frees us from sin, why would I think I could sufficiently free myself from sin before He does? Why would I think I’ve died to sin before I’ve been buried with him? I thought the newness of life comes after we are raised with him. How do I put to death the sin in my life by the Spirit if I don’t have the Spirit yet? Isn’t this like telling a sick man he needs to get well before he can see the doctor? How can a man dead in sin and trespasses make himself alive unto God in his own strength? How do I know when I’ve repented sufficiently that God will accept me? Isn’t turning to God from the heart and believing the Gospel the repentance the Bible talks about, so that I can then be baptized, buried with Christ, arise to a new way of life, having received the Spirit, and then I’ll be able to overcome because I have the power? Isn’t telling a man to repent of his sins before he can be saved putting the cart before the horse? Jesus sat and ate with sinners, being accused by the Pharisees of being one himself. But the point is, he sat with them while they were yet sinners! The woman caught in adultery didn’t repent; she was forgiven and then told not to sin anymore after the fact. I’ve struggled with this for years. And it just doesn’t make sense to me.<\/p>\n
Can you please help?<\/p>\n\t
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter<\/em>” (II Corinthians 7:10-11).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Repentance leads to salvation, but a repentant person is not necessarily saved. Repentance doesn’t grant you forgiveness of your sins. However, repentance is required by God before He grants forgiveness.<\/p>\n
Repentance begins with regret for past actions. Sorrow is not repentance, but an attitude that leads one to repentance. At times, we realize on our own that we have done wrong, but most often, we find out because someone took the time to point out our faults, as Paul did with the Corinthians. Being told that we are wrong, even when we know it, is never fun (Hebrews 12:9-11). Too often, to cover our embarrassment, we turn on the one rebuking us (Amos 5:10).\u00a0In our own shame, we don’t see that those delivering the rebuke are doing so out of love and concern for us (Revelation 3:19).\u00a0God doesn’t enjoy rebuking the sinner, but He wants us to repent (Lamentations 3:30-40). Thus,\u00a0we need to appreciate those who chasten us (Proverbs 9:8-9).<\/p>\n
But sorrow is useless if it doesn’t lead to an improvement. Some sorrow, not over their wrongs but over the fact that they were caught. The word “repentance” means to change direction (Acts 26:20). We should turn from this useless world toward the living God (Acts 14:15).\u00a0 A godly sorrow produces a change that leads to salvation, and that is not something useless or to be regretted (II Corinthians 7:10). If we stay in our sins, we would die because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).<\/p>\n
If you truly realize that changing your life for the better is important, you will make every effort to ensure the change is implemented correctly. It is too easy to think you are doing right if you are not checking (I Corinthians 10:12). This is what Paul meant by earnestness (II Corinthians 7:11). A wise man is careful and turns from evil (Proverbs 14:16).<\/p>\n
There is even some disgust with ourselves for falling for the trap of sin. An example of this was Ephriam’s disgust with the sins of their youth (Jeremiah 31:18-19). There is indignation, as the king showed when he was forced to send Daniel into the lions’ den. He was displeased with himself – he was indignate at being caught in a trap (Daniel 6:14).<\/p>\n
If we truly realize that we were wrong, then we will work to clear our misdeeds. Repentance is useless if we don’t take it personally, as a matter of honor, to fix our mistakes. Repentance is shown\u00a0by our good works (Acts 26:20), our changed life (Ephesians 4:17-24), and our holy living (I\u00a0Peter 1:14-16). We are no longer living like the people in the world (I Peter 4:2-4). Repentance is a change that worldly people notice (I Peter 2:11-12). Like Zacchaeus, we should show zeal to change (Luke 19:8-9). “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon<\/em>” (Isaiah 55:7). Notice that it is not a pardon first and then a change. God pardons because we are making an effort to change.<\/p>\n
In fact, there is fear of the consequences if we do not make some change.\u00a0God is impartial, so we ought to conduct ourselves with fear (I Peter 1:17). This fear leads to a strong desire, a zeal, to do the best that we can (Revelation 3:19).<\/p>\n
With the decision to change our lives, our attitude toward ourselves changes. Sure, I did wrong, but I found out before it’s too late, and I’m going to do something about it! Our sorrow is replaced with dedication and joy.<\/p>\n
If you went before God, asking for forgiveness, but you make no effort to leave the sin, or worse, don’t really believe that what you’ve done is wrong, then why should God listen to your request? God is not asking you to have conquered the sin on your own, but He is expecting you to display a desire to change both in your attitude and in your actions. Your repentance doesn’t free you from sin; only Christ’s blood can do that. But you must make improvements that show your sincerity in wanting to live for God.<\/p>\n
Using your illustration, God is telling the sick man to stop living an unhealthy life so that the Great Physician can heal him.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Question: Greetings! I’ve been struggling to understand repentance. I know it’s commonly taught that we must repent of all sin before we can be saved. However, as I read Romans and some of Paul’s other writings, I find that Paul talks about being made free from sin, putting to death the deeds of the flesh…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[1571,50,47],"class_list":["post-94512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-forgiveness","tag-repentance","tag-salvation"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27136,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/do-we-die-to-sin-at-the-point-of-repentance\/","url_meta":{"origin":94512,"position":0},"title":"Do we die to sin at the point of repentance?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 6, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: After viewing your web site, my brother and I saw the graphic on\u00a0the gospel re-enacted.\u00a0 I appreciate the way it is laid out.\u00a0 I am attaching a similar graphic that is being taught in this area and in many other areas also. In this graphic, it is taught that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":47373,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/if-we-have-sex-one-more-time-before-our-baptisms-will-god-forgive-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":94512,"position":1},"title":"If we have sex one more time before our baptisms, will God forgive us?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 2, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hi, I recently converted to Christianity and so did my girlfriend. We both have been in a very sexual relationship before we found God. We have been trying hard not to do anything sexual, but we messed up once, felt horrible, and asked for forgiveness. We're getting baptized soon,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":46869,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/would-you-baptize-someone-you-think-is-living-in-sin\/","url_meta":{"origin":94512,"position":2},"title":"Would you baptize someone you think is living in sin?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 7, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hey Brother, Would you baptize an individual who you\u00a0think\u00a0is still living in sin or is setting a bad example? For instance, if the individual is living with a girlfriend but claims that they do not have sex and sleep in different rooms. Answer: \"Let no one despise your youth,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24451,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-much-repentance-is-needed-before-baptism\/","url_meta":{"origin":94512,"position":3},"title":"How much repentance is needed before baptism?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 8, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have a few things that bother me from time to time and I can't seem to be at peace with it. The topic of repentance comes to mind. I have read through some of\u00a0your articles, as well as other articles, regarding repentance and its necessity for baptism (which\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9178,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-repentance-all-i-need-to-do-to-be-saved\/","url_meta":{"origin":94512,"position":4},"title":"Is repentance all I need to do to be saved?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 31, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I'm really confused, mainly because of all the bad things I've done. How do I fix it, or is it already fixed if I just repent? Answer: While repentance is critical for salvation from sins because Jesus said, \"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":36279,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-would-you-say-to-a-young-teenager-who-committed-fornication-and-who-came-out-for-altar-call\/","url_meta":{"origin":94512,"position":5},"title":"What would you say to a young teenager who committed fornication and who came out for altar call?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 27, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: What would you say to a young teenager who committed fornication and who came out for altar call? Answer: There is no \"altar call\" in the Bible. But if a young person wished to become a Christian and was willing to give up his sins, then that is just\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94512\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}