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September 5, 2010

The House On The Rock

Repentance that Revives!

It is commonly believed among us that repentance is a forerunner to revival and with such belief being true then it is expedient to understand what true repentance really is. I’m convinced that those who pick up the banner of true repentance will experience God in a new and refreshing way- indeed we will experience the refreshing rain of revival. Peter conveyed this message in Acts 3 to those who did not yet know Christ; how much more then is the promise sure to those who do!

“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before” (Acts 3: 18-20)

Times of refreshing that come from the presence of the Lord are a revival.

Repentance paves the way for the times of refreshing.

What is repentance and how do we make it work?

It is important in any study of the scripture to ask “to whom is the speaker speaking to?”

Context not only includes the surrounding scriptures but also the context in which it was given. Ask “what is the context of this word or teaching?” by doing so we avoid many common mistakes that cause error among us.

For instance, in the ministry of Jesus we see him talking to various groups. He spoke to the Scribes and Pharisees, He spoke to the Children of Israel, and He spoke to His Disciples and followers. Jesus’ message to each of these groups was often quite different. An example of this is found in the Parable of the Sower where those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable; Jesus answered:

“…To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables…” and “…with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples."

Much of what we find in the Gospels was spoken to those under the law before the cross; so ask when you read the Bible – who is this word spoken to?

Repentance is a subject best understood throughout the Acts and Epistles as these reveal the response expected by the Church.

The Word Repentance

Repentance is the word – “metanoia” in the Greek language and is used 24 times in the New Testament. The most accurate definition of the word “metanoia” is:

“a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done.” (Strongs Definition of Repentance)

Repentance is a Gift of God

Repentance is powerful if one uses it correctly. It is a gift from God that empowers us to change our minds concerning our direction we have been taking. Peter and the other apostles put it this way:

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:30,31)

And Also Acts 11:18 “…“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Paul instructing Timothy says also: “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,” (2Timothy 2:25)

So then repentance is a gift from God. It does not come under threat of His judgment but as a gift of His goodness:

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

Repentance May Be Produced by “godly sorrow”

Repentance may be produced through godly sorrow that occurs when we find ourselves taking a wrong course of action as was demonstrated by the Corinthian believers. Paul encouraged them by using graphic words to draw a line of demarcation between “godly sorrow” without regret and the type of sorrow the world uses by means of blame, guilt and condemnation. His kind words say:

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2Corinthians 7:10)

Quite often in ignorance of the place of using “godly sorrow” which produces repentance, the church and young zealots has used “the sorrow of the world” to attempt to bring others to repentance. Typically done with sharp denunciation against sin, apostasy, and the flesh; worldly sorrow is frequently propagated throughout the church world. Such preaching often reinforces the Neo-pharisaic worldview. While lengthening their phylacteries Neo-Pharisees sneer toward those less transformed through grace. They command the world and the church to REPENT on the verge of quick and certain judgment from God! In their zeal for purity, (false) humility, and (false) holiness they might even think their word is prophetic. Such a view of repentance, although consistent with the contemporary worldview is inconsistent with the teaching of scripture concerning the gift of repentance and godly sorrow.

How Repentance is taught in the scripture

Repentance is taught as a change of mind concerning “dead works”. The writer of Hebrews calls Repentance an elementary principle (first principles) of Christ. It is a foundational teaching – one of the first we must learn before we press on to a mature man in Christ.

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)

Repentance being “a change of mind, purpose, and direction” then is to be employed first of all against dead works. The writer is clear that these are not the works and labor of love shown toward God’s name; he is referring to another kind of “works” entirely – the works Paul refers to in his writings; the works of the law. The message is simple – works are dead!

The Hebrew believers were very much indeed as we are in Christianity today. They too were found embracing the leaven of the Pharisees in an attempt to add the law of works to the grace of God. This wonderful writing called The Book of Hebrews is almost entirely written to correct this error. One might think the writer was a close contemporary of Paul because of his use of the sharpest of words against those leading the church astray and those who were being led astray by their doctrine:

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6: 4-8)

Dear friends in Jesus,

Do not fall prey to such teaching. If the zealots of repentance that we hear today were to preach this passage above and call the church to repentance from “dead works” complete with the impending fear of these words then we would have an unprecedented revival! Could they be so close to the verge of “impossible” already though? I pray not! The “falling away” referred to in Hebrews is not a falling away from “works of the law” and accompanying fall into sin! It is concerning the fall away from grace and back to those dead works! He who has an ear to hear, let him hear!

Scripture’s emphasis on repentance is not concerning repentance from sin as we are often told; it emphasizes repentance from works in faith towards God!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christdepart from iniquity.”
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. ~Paul to Timothy.