Nature of repentance

The call to repentance

The call to repentance

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Repentance opens the way for blessing

It is the only way to escape God’s judgment

​ HCSB“Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment. Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “So repent and live!

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It prepares the way for God’s kingdom

​ HCSBFrom then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”

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It brings forgiveness and restoration

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God desires that all people should repent

He wants everyone to be saved

​ HCSBDo I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?

His patience with the unrepentant

​ HCSBThe Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

Repentance is a requirement for fellowship with God

with God

with God

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Repentance involves turning from sin

Sorrow for sin

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Confession of sin

Luke 15:17–19 HCSB

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’

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All people have turned away from God

​ HCSBWe all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.

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Making appropriate restitution

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Wayward people must return to God

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Repentance involves turning to God

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Means of returning to God

Faith in God

Realisation of estrangement from God

Isaiah 30:15 HCSB

For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence. But you are not willing.”

​ HCSBLet us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord.

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Obedience

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Ezekiel 18:21–23 HCSB

“Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will not die. None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. He will live because of the righteousness he has practiced. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from his ways and lives?

Acknowledgment of sin

​ HCSBFor I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.

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Repentance demonstrated by actions

Sorrow for sin

Acts 26:20 HCSB

Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.

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​ HCSBSo I confess my guilt; I am anxious because of my sin.

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Repentance must be sincere

A sense of guilt for sin

Jeremiah 3:10 HCSB

Yet in spite of all this, her treacherous sister Judah didn’t return to Me with all her heart —only in pretense.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

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​ HCSBDavid’s conscience troubled him after he had taken a census of the troops. He said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away Your servant’s guilt.”

The repentance of God

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Repentance

Jeremiah 26:3 HCSB

Perhaps they will listen and return—each from his evil way of life—so that I might relent concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.

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A parable of returning to God

​ HCSBHe also said: “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

Examples of people returning to God

Israelites:

; 2 Ch 15:42 Sa 12:13–14 David; the people of Nineveh