Repentance, Forgiveness and Reconciliation Part 2

REPENT

What is genuine repentance? Genuine repentance is a gift from God and can only be received when the truth of the sin is acknowledged (2 timothy 2:24-26).  And repentance is not an attitude that states I have to do it or forced to but rather a heartfelt, sorrowful response to the conviction of sin (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Three Greek words used in the New Testament help us understand the full meaning of repentance in the Bible. The first is the verb metamelomai, which denotes a change of mind that produces regret or even remorse for wrongs done, but not necessarily a change of heart and action. This word is used in Matthew 27:3 to describe the guilt Judas felt over betraying Jesus. The second verb, metanoeo, means “to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.” This verb and its related noun, metanoia, denote true biblical repentance.

Do we have to repent when you sin? No, if you are secular. If you are a genuine Christ- follower, then the answer is “Yes” and that repentance is a COMMAND not a request. (1), the repentance must be genuine (2), genuine repentance will produce good works (3), and your genuine repentance will solidify your salvation inheritance (4).   

(1) Luke 13:3 – I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Acts 17:30 – God overlooked the times of ignorance, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent.

(2) 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 – Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorrowful in a godly way, that you might not suffer loss in any way through us. Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

(3) Acts 26:20 – but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do works proving their repentance.

(4) 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness. But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Do we need to repent to have salvation? Yes, according to:

Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out

Acts 11:18 God has granted repentance that leads to life.

Acts 17:30 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent,

 2 Cor. 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation

2 Peter 3:9 not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Luke 13:3 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

What is Unrepentance?
An unrepentant person knows that he or she has sinned and refuses to ask God for forgiveness or turn away from the sin. The unrepentant show no remorse for their wrongdoing and don’t feel the need to change. Unrepentance is the sin of willfully remaining sinful.

Unrepentance is therefore a serious sin with dire consequences. The unrepentant live in a state of disobedience to God, not heeding His gracious call. The unrepentant remain unsaved until they turn from their sin and embrace Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

In the OT unrepentant people were called stiff-necked. To be stiff-necked is to have a stubborn, obstinate spirit that makes one unresponsive to God’s guidance or correction.

The apostle Paul warned of the consequences of Unrepentance: “Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil” (Romans 2:5–9)

“If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” (1 John 1:6) However, if the unrepentant sinner genuinely repents they will be forgiven; and “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Conclusion from scripture: 2 Cor. 7:10 For Godly repentance produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. And Luke 13:5 No I tell you: but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

There are no unrepentant sinners in Heaven