Sign of the Fig Tree | CafeLogos.org
Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent Him of the evil that He has pronounced against you (Jeremiah 26:13).
The Remedy of Repentance
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).
Any child who has been punished by a parent sees the reward of his misbehavior as evil. Yet, from the parent’s perspective the act of correcting the child is the result of the parent’s care and love, even though his actions are being misinterpreted by the object of the discipline.
God’s actions to correct His people were necessary and were in proportion to their crimes. He had sent His prophets many years before the judgment would fall to get them to repent and change their behavior. Therefore the misery that was inflicted upon the Jews during the Babylonian captivity could have been completely avoided if they had listened and obeyed God’s prophets instead of the false prophets who were only prophesying the things the people wanted to hear. In other words, the people had no one to blame for their misfortunes other than themselves.
The principles that operated and were recorded for us in the Old Testament, are operational in this present day. And like ancient Israel, I fear that much of the church and the Jews that refuse to heed the words of scripture for their correction and repent, will face the same fate as their ancient counterparts.
The dictionary defines repentance as “Deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrong doing regret for any past action.”
The Bible defines repentance as the need to change (Isaiah 55:7, 59:20, Proverbs 28:13, Job 36:10). Actually, it is sorrow for one’s sins and the recognition that we need forgiveness that leads to repentance, the desire to change one’s behavior. When we believe the gospel, that Jesus died for our sins, the acknowledgment that we have sinned which caused Jesus’ suffering for us, should produce a deep remorse that results in repentance, a willingness to change, to turn from sins. Therefore repentance is the result of a genuine faith in the atonement.
…you sorrowed to repentance (II Corinthians 7:9).
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation… (II Corinthians 7:10).
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin (Ezekiel 18:30).
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26).
I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32).
We are shown in John 15:5, that without Jesus “we can do nothing.”
When we believe we receive the Holy Spirit, who then works with the believer to change us into the people God wants us to become. The process of becoming a “New Creature” (II Corinthians 5:17), is the result of salvation, not the means.
The purpose of this transformation is to glorify God, validate the gospel message and bring others to Jesus.
In the first century church repentance, the need to turn from sin, was preached with the gospel.
They went out, and preached that men should repent (Mark 6:12).
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).
…to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31).
…they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance (Acts 26:20).
Before ancient Israel was catapulted into her captivity, her apostate pastors did not preach repentance.
Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him life (Ezekiel 13:22).
There are many apostate pastors today who also refuse to preach against sin and thus encourage those who hear them to continue in behaviors that will guarantee them, like ancient Israel, first place in line to experience the severity of God’s correction in their lives.
Those who are humble and wise, will heed the words and warnings of God and repent.
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answering said to them, Do you suppose that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, do you think that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:1-5).
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.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent: (Acts 17:30).
If you are ever challenged by someone about the Biblical meaning of the word repentance, tell them to get a topical Bible and read all the verses relating to repentance and get the Biblical definition of what it means, instead of any man's opinion.
Copyright 2024 by H.D. Shively