Returning to God

All people have turned away from God

Isaiah 53:6 KJV 1900

All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

See also Job 25:4; Je 17:9; Jn 3:19; Ro 3:23

Wayward people must return to God

Is 44:22; Ho 14:1; Zec 1:3

See also 2 Ch 30:9; Ne 1:9; Job 22:23; Je 24:7; La 3:40; Ho 6:1; Ho 12:6; Joe 2:12

Means of returning to God

Realisation of estrangement from God

Lamentations 3:40 KJV 1900

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.

See also 1 Sa 24:5; 2 Sa 24:10; 2 Ch 6:29–31; Ro 3:20

Acknowledgment of sin

Psalm 51:3 KJV 1900

For I acknowledge my transgressions: And my sin is ever before me.

See also Ex 9:27; Nu 14:39–40; Nu 22:34; Jos 7:20; 1 Sa 15:24–25; Mt 27:3–4

Sorrow for sin

Psalm 38:18 KJV 1900

For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

See also Ps 51:1–2; 2 Co 7:9–10

A sense of guilt for sin

2 Samuel 24:10 KJV 1900

And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

See also Ezr 9:5–6; Ps 38:1–4; Ps 38:17–18; Ps 51:3; Ac 2:37–38

Repentance

Is 1:27; Ac 2:37–38

See also Is 59:20

A parable of returning to God

Luke 15:11–24 KJV 1900

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Examples of people returning to God

Israelites:

Jdg 10:15; 2 Ch 15:4

2 Sa 12:13–14 David; Jon 3:5–10 the people of Nineveh