Repentance

 

Josiahs Scott, Josiahs@trueconnection.org, www.TrueConnection.org

11/12/06; 6/2/08; 8/25/09; 12/5/09

 

Essential Verse

Pro 28:13 Brenton He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames himself shall be loved.

 

Some Greek Details

In the New Testament, the Greek has very interesting definitions:

 

G3340 μετανοέω metanoeō met-an-o-eh'-o

From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

(Strong's)

 

Used 34 times in the GNT (Greek New Testament), this is the main Greek word used for repentance. But in a slightly different form it is:

 

G3341 μετάνοια metanoia met-an'-oy-ah

From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): - repentance.

 

Used 24 times in this form, it seems somewhat reminiscent of the Hebrew word for repent (נחם) which is often applied literally or figuratively with stopping, turning around, and going the opposite direction.

 

Do you Get “Repentance”?

- Real repentance remits sins: Mar_1:4; Luk_3:3; 24:47

- It demands fruit: Luk_3:8

 

“Get Specific”

Act 19:18-20 WEB  Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.  19  Many of those who practiced magical arts^G4021 brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.  20  So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

 

G4021 - περίεργος

 

Magic (for example)

God hates everything to do with witches, wizards, spells, magic, (including what is called “black” & “white”), mediums, “channelers,” psychics, “clairvoyant,”… (etc.)

 

Exo_22:18; Lev_19:26, Lev_19:31, Lev_20:6, Lev_20:27; Deu_18:10, Deu_18:11; 1Sa_28:3, 1Sa_28:9; Isa_19:3; Act_8:9-11; Act_16:16-19, Act_19:19; Gal_5:20; Rev_22:15

 

From My Testimony

Star Wars is a combination of Pantheism, Dualism, and Metaphysicalism, not to mention it’s obvious links to the Ying Yang.  Twice in the original trilogy they even refer to “The Force” as a religion.  I knew that the Bible said things like:

 

Eph 5:11 ALT  And stop participating in the unfruitful works of the darkness, but instead, even be exposing [them].

3Jo 1:11 LITV  Beloved, do not imitate the bad, but the good…

Deu 18:9 KJB  When you have come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to do the abominations of those nations.

 

But we say…

“I’m not going to do it myself, I’m just going to be entertained by other people doing it on TV…”

 

First, make sure you read and understand this Bible study on worldliness:

www.trueconnection.org/BibleStudies/Woes_of_Worldliness.htm

 

- Is it wrong to hate your mother?

- Is it wrong to hate God?

- Do we say “God, I really really want to be your follower, but I think it is ok to enjoy things that you hate, which promote hatred and rebellion against you.” – Would you do that with your mother?

 

The Point?

- BURN IT, don't be entertained by it!

- Don't you see that their stomachs were turned to hate the sin that they were rejecting? That’s why they burned it!

 

Act 19:18-20 WEB  Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.  19  Many of those who practiced magical arts^G4021 brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.  20  So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

 

 

See these Key References:

 

Exo_32:20 - Moses burnt the golden calf

Deu_7:25-26 - Hate the gold of idols, & don't bring it in your house or your cursed with it

Isa_2:20-21 - fearing God means throwing idols away

Isa_30:22 - Commanded to be disgusted with it!

(Compiled with help from TSK)

 

If you are entertained by evil things you need to repent!

 

Rom 1:32 KJV  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

Do It!

Go through your room, iPod, computer... life

flirting

 

I wouldn’t doubt it if some have

- pictures of women or websites they need to get rid of...

- CDs that need to be broken...

- magazines that need to be trashed

 

STOP any and everything you’re choosing that does not make you more hungry for Jesus

 

 “burn the scrolls” as in Acts

Get paper, write down sins and your own repentance

If willing, get on knees

 

Read

David’s Story:

2Sa_11:1-27, 2Sa_12:1-14; Psa 51:1-19;

Prodigal son:

Luk_15:11-32

Nineveh:

Jon_3:4-10

 

Truly “Confessing” Sin Requires Forsaking It

The Necessary Action of Repentance

Most of the church misses the fact that it necessarily includes stopping sin.

 

Pro 28:13 KJB He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

 

Notice that obtaining mercy is twofold! “Repentance” is often confused with simply “confessing,” while a complete repentance always includes “forsaking.” Repentance is a lot more than just admitting you’re wrong.

 

In further confusion, many misunderstand and misapply the following verse:

 

1Jo 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Is God saying that we only have to “say” that we are wrong to be forgiven? From a holistic and honest application of Scripture, obviously not:

 

Luk 3:7-8 WEB He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance...

 

But to make this a little more certain with this particular verse in 1John 1:9, and because of those who would abuse this verse out of ignorance, here are some specifics:

 

If in this verse he simply used the Greek word “λόγος” (pronounced logos) we may have more of an excuse to error. But he didn't.

“λόγος” basically means “to say” or “something said” (depending on application). But the word that is used in the above Scripture is a compound of “λόγος,” which is actually: “ομολογωμεν” (homologōmen). In short, this literally means to “Say together” or by some implications, “to covenant.” This speaks of something much more than just “Saying you’re wrong.” So we can firmly apply:

 

1Jo 1:9 KJV If we covenant [about] our sins [or “confess together”], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

This implies that when we are “confessing,” we are saying the same thing as God is saying about our sin, and doing it as a “covenant.” Covenants include a binding and a commitment to action, not just a saying of words. And we are sure that we will not escape God if we break any covenant made with Him.

 

Contextual Elements

Contextually, we see a lot of the “togetherness” that verse 9 speaks of, even two verses earlier in verse seven:

 

1Jo 1:7 KJV But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

 

Notice that there is vertical (with God) as well as horizontal (with other believers) “togetherness” thick in this context. Now keeping all of this understanding in mind, it would probably be good for you to go read 1John 1:5-10 to get the full impact. What amazing implications we can miss if we are not aware of some of these things! And also for further understanding and admonition, it would be good to see the following link to another (short) work that I have compiled:

 

http://www.trueconnection.org/Salvation%20Basics.htm

(Especially see the "Hard-core Scriptures" about stopping sin in your life).