Repentance
[Luke 13:3 KJV] 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. The message of repentance is seen all throughout the Bible. What does this mean? What is the need for it? Why does the Bible say that we will perish if we don't? We will briefly look at these questions and more in this article.
Strong's definition says that in the Hebrew, H7775, the word is sub (shoob), it is to turn back or to return. In the Greek, G3340, metanoeo (met-an-o-eh-o), it is to change one's mind for the better, usually from the conscience of the individual being truly sorrowful for doing wrong. Observing the definitions, we can conclude that we have erred, and our heart (conscience) is grieved or sorrowful and is wanting to make right by returning back to correct relationship with the one we have erred against. [2Co 7:9-11 KJV] 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Looking now to the need of repentance we see that we have fallen out of our relationship with God by committing sin, transgression, against Him. Isaiah 59:1-2 says that your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear. When we are in this condition there remains no sacrifice from sin because we have stepped away from Him (Hebrews 10:26). This current condition is why it says that we will perish. As Hebrews 10:27 says that now what remains is a fearful expectation of judgement and fiery indignation. For we know that the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23, and if we stay in sin we will face the second death (Revelation 20:14.)
How might this apply to you? For one, if you are not in Christ then you are separated from the promises of eternal life, thus in sin. [1John 2:2 KJV] 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. John the Baptist proclaimed [John 1:29 KJV] 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Peter on the day of Pentecost proclaimed [Acts 2:38 KJV] 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. As a Christian repentance is a daily process. Upon recognizing sin one must repent, make a change of direction, to correct our relationship with Christ Jesus. [Luke 13:3 KJV] 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Mike Parks
March 9, 2021
Hardin County Church of Christ
