The need to REPENT
It was said in the city of Athens that a god could be found quicker than a man. The city was inundated with idolatry at this time, and the apostle Paul rebuked them for their skewed view of Jehovah and eccentric worship. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul stated, “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:29). These individuals were steeped in sin, and Paul taught the need to turn from sin in order to please God. Of what were the Athenians to repent and why? They were commanded to repent from idolatry, “because He [God] had appointed a day, in 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” (Acts 17:31). Paul did not avoid using the word “repent” to get his point across to these idolaters for the saving of their souls.
Repentance is vitally important in God’s scheme of redemption or plan of salvation. What does it mean to repent? It literally suggests changing one’s mind, to turn thoughts away from sin resulting in a change of life. Before a man can truly be on his way to pleasing God, he must be willing to change his thoughts about sin and make the trek towards righteousness, which is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). This passage gives man assurance of the will of God and His strong desire to spend eternity with all; however, man must apply the word to his life and conform to God’s plan. This is the reason that the preaching of the gospel is paramount in the world. We must preach repentance (Mark 1:14-15)!
On the Day of Pentecost, the Jews were convicted by the gospel of sinning against God by killing His Son. Peter had told them of their crime, and their response came in the form of the question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37), to which Peter responded, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...” (Acts 2:38). This was God’s plan for saving man—repentance has to be proclaimed, it has to be explained and it has to be completed before salvation can be obtained. They were commanded by God to turn from their evil ways and turn towards the living God immediately. God’s plan for saving man gives confidence, assurance, courage and a strong will to be in the presence of God, for we know the gospel message teaches of the holiness of God and how those who desire to be with Him must be holy (1 Pet. 1:16).
Of course, there is great wisdom in the plan of God, and the very fact that God wants man to repent implies self-examination as well. Paul told the church at Corinth, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). Should we not explain this to the one who is outside of the body of Christ? It is not only imperative for those outside of Christ, but it is also advantageous for Christians to look into the perfect law of liberty and allow the truth of the gospel to show us our faults and troubles as well (James 1:25). It is at this time the Christian can make the necessary adjustments in life to be pleasing to Jehovah. Many today refrain from examining themselves for multiple reasons, such as fear of change, not concerned with the issues in their life or too busy with the cares of this world to think about it. Oh, yes, even in Christ, repentance is a part of God’s plan of salvation. We must be mindful and bold enough to face those things in our lives that are not in order and REPENT of them and live for God.
In conclusion, let Christians and those outside of Christ know assuredly that God commands all men to repent of their sins and meet His standard of pardon for salvation. Let us repent from dead works and serve the living God (Heb. 9:14). Let us put away the attitude of worldliness and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). May God continue to be longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance. Make no mistake about it, friends—repentance is part of the plan for saving man!
--Michael Bonner
Repentance is vitally important in God’s scheme of redemption or plan of salvation. What does it mean to repent? It literally suggests changing one’s mind, to turn thoughts away from sin resulting in a change of life. Before a man can truly be on his way to pleasing God, he must be willing to change his thoughts about sin and make the trek towards righteousness, which is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). This passage gives man assurance of the will of God and His strong desire to spend eternity with all; however, man must apply the word to his life and conform to God’s plan. This is the reason that the preaching of the gospel is paramount in the world. We must preach repentance (Mark 1:14-15)!
On the Day of Pentecost, the Jews were convicted by the gospel of sinning against God by killing His Son. Peter had told them of their crime, and their response came in the form of the question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37), to which Peter responded, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...” (Acts 2:38). This was God’s plan for saving man—repentance has to be proclaimed, it has to be explained and it has to be completed before salvation can be obtained. They were commanded by God to turn from their evil ways and turn towards the living God immediately. God’s plan for saving man gives confidence, assurance, courage and a strong will to be in the presence of God, for we know the gospel message teaches of the holiness of God and how those who desire to be with Him must be holy (1 Pet. 1:16).
Of course, there is great wisdom in the plan of God, and the very fact that God wants man to repent implies self-examination as well. Paul told the church at Corinth, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). Should we not explain this to the one who is outside of the body of Christ? It is not only imperative for those outside of Christ, but it is also advantageous for Christians to look into the perfect law of liberty and allow the truth of the gospel to show us our faults and troubles as well (James 1:25). It is at this time the Christian can make the necessary adjustments in life to be pleasing to Jehovah. Many today refrain from examining themselves for multiple reasons, such as fear of change, not concerned with the issues in their life or too busy with the cares of this world to think about it. Oh, yes, even in Christ, repentance is a part of God’s plan of salvation. We must be mindful and bold enough to face those things in our lives that are not in order and REPENT of them and live for God.
In conclusion, let Christians and those outside of Christ know assuredly that God commands all men to repent of their sins and meet His standard of pardon for salvation. Let us repent from dead works and serve the living God (Heb. 9:14). Let us put away the attitude of worldliness and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). May God continue to be longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance. Make no mistake about it, friends—repentance is part of the plan for saving man!
--Michael Bonner