Ramesh Deosarran
5th June 2008, 11:32 AM (11:32)
Repentance
In “Introduction to Christian Theology” Wiley and Culbertson stare: “Awakening is a term used in theology to denote that operation of the Holy Spirit by which men’s minds are quickened to a consciousness of their lost estate … Conviction is that operation of the Spirit which produces within men a sense of guilt and condemnation because of sin. To the idea of awakening there is added that of personal blame.”
Repentance carries the idea of a change of mind in relation to sin. Every person who wants to be in the fold of God must repent. It is an act of man enabled by prevenient grace. It is a change of mind in regard to sin.
In the Old Testament repentance addresses a return after being rebellious or unfaithful. It was not just a return after worshipping idols or false gods. It was a total reorientation of the whole person. We may recall that God does not require sacrifice but a clean heart.
In the New Testament repentance addresses a radical change of personality. So, what are we turning from? We turn from sin to God. In the middle of this process there is regret, confession and submission. There is a change in the whole person. If repentance is only about regret and making amends then we have the idea of penance. It cannot even be only about sorrow and regret. It must be a complete break from sin and turn to God.
Repentance points to the entrance of the kingdom of God. Jesus began His ministry with the words, “Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Why is repentance so important? It is addresses the nature of sin. Sin is rebelling against God. It is contrary to holiness. According to Luke 13:3, we perish unless we repent.
As mentioned before, repentance is an act of man but is made possible by God. It implies sin, sorrow and wrong. Where there is an admission of guilt, confession is necessary. There is reformation and restoration. Luke said in 3:8 “bear fruits that befit repentance.” It is a gift of God.
In “Introduction to Christian Theology” Wiley and Culbertson stare: “Awakening is a term used in theology to denote that operation of the Holy Spirit by which men’s minds are quickened to a consciousness of their lost estate … Conviction is that operation of the Spirit which produces within men a sense of guilt and condemnation because of sin. To the idea of awakening there is added that of personal blame.”
Repentance carries the idea of a change of mind in relation to sin. Every person who wants to be in the fold of God must repent. It is an act of man enabled by prevenient grace. It is a change of mind in regard to sin.
In the Old Testament repentance addresses a return after being rebellious or unfaithful. It was not just a return after worshipping idols or false gods. It was a total reorientation of the whole person. We may recall that God does not require sacrifice but a clean heart.
In the New Testament repentance addresses a radical change of personality. So, what are we turning from? We turn from sin to God. In the middle of this process there is regret, confession and submission. There is a change in the whole person. If repentance is only about regret and making amends then we have the idea of penance. It cannot even be only about sorrow and regret. It must be a complete break from sin and turn to God.
Repentance points to the entrance of the kingdom of God. Jesus began His ministry with the words, “Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Why is repentance so important? It is addresses the nature of sin. Sin is rebelling against God. It is contrary to holiness. According to Luke 13:3, we perish unless we repent.
As mentioned before, repentance is an act of man but is made possible by God. It implies sin, sorrow and wrong. Where there is an admission of guilt, confession is necessary. There is reformation and restoration. Luke said in 3:8 “bear fruits that befit repentance.” It is a gift of God.