03a.  Repentance from dead works

 

 

INTRODUCTION.

 

The Doctrine of Repentance is one that has been overlooked and neglected very much in our modern day Christian world. When we turn to the Bible we find that it is in fact of the “foundational truths” - see Hebrews 6:1-2.  In Hebrews 6:1-2 we have Paul giving us the foundational truths which are necessary in order to move on “towards maturity.”  In the passage Paul is challenging his readers or his students to move on from being “babies” (compare 5:12-14) towards becoming mature Christians.  In doing this he also gives us a list of the foundational doctrines which have to be laid in a believer’s nature before he can go on to maturity.

 

 

 

THE NATURE OF REPENTANCE

 

Hebrews 6:1-2

 

Here we find that repentance has to be “from” dead works and is followed by faith “towards” God.

This indicates a change of mind and direction. The English word ‘repentance’ is translated from the Greek word “metanoein” which right down through the history of the Greek language, and also classical Greek, always indicates “to change one’s mind”. Repentance therefore is primarily a DECISION ! 

It may also involve strong emotions, but it is not essentially an emotion.

 

In the minds of most people repentance is an emotion, and they interpret it as feeling “sorry” for what one has done.  This can also include such emotions as remorse and also the matter of tears and crying. We must make it clear in our teaching that although these emotions can and very often do accompany repentance, repentance is still basically a change of mind and a decision.

Another false concept regarding repentance is that of “penance” - an idea that comes from many religions which call for some kind of self imposed infliction and hardship that one has to endure to pay for one’s sins.

This is a concept that is totally contrary to the Word of God.  All these things i.e. emotions penance etc. can in fact take place in a person’s life without repentance actually being achieved.

 

In the Old Testament the word repentance primarily emphasizes the thought of “turning, to return, to turn back.”  When we combine the New Testament emphasis on an inner change of mind and heart involving a decision, and the Old Testament emphasis on the outward action of turning or returning to God, we begin to get the full picture of the meaning of true repentance. Therefore, true repentance is “an inner change of mind resulting in an outer action, of turning around or back and facing in a different direction.”

 

 

Luke 15:11-24  - an ideal example in the Scriptures of Repentance.

 

The story of the Prodigal Son outlines for us the process of Repentance. He left his father, went his own way, until eventually he came to the point where he made a “decision” (vs 18) “I will” get up and go to my father.” At this point came his first step of repentance. This was followed by the second step which was the outward action following the decision (vs 20) “and he got up and came to his father.”

 

We see in Hebrews 6 that repentance is “from dead works.” In the life of the Prodigal Son his “dead works” were his own style of life which he followed and pursued with his back turned to his father, going his own way. Repentance was the point at which he turned from his own life style, having made a decision, and started walking home towards his father. It involved a new direction. This latter part is referred to in Hebrews 6 by the words “faith toward God.”

It includes confession of sin (vs 18,19,21) - Repentance “from dead works” - all acts will then be based upon repentance and facts i.e. prayer, Bible reading, church attendance etc. Isaiah 64:6.

 

 

Matthew 27:3-4 - an example in the Scriptures of Remorse without repentance.

 

We need to see a clear contrast between true repentance and mere remorse for our sins.

The one is sorrow which leads toward faith and salvation, the other is sorrow that leads to death - (2 Cor.7:10). Although in some translations, Judas is described as repenting of what he did, the original Greek word from which repentance is translated in this passage, is not the same as that used previously. In this case it is the word “metamelein” which can be translated more accurately as “anguish” and “remorse.”

 

In the case of Judas we find that there is no (change of mind) regarding Jesus Christ and also no change of the course or direction he followed - in fact he went on in the same way and hanged himself.

 

 

1 Samuel 15:1-31

 

Here is another example of a man who, although he appeared to repent, did not in fact have a proper inner change and outward action to follow it in his life and therefore did not in fact repent. Saul’s disobedience is one of the pathetic stories in the Word of God. The crisis comes when he is confronted by Samuel who challenges him concerning his disobedience, for God had told him to destroy ALL the people of the Amalekites, plus all the oxen and sheep etc. However Saul in his disobedience, preserved the best of the animals and also brought the King back alive.  When confronted by Samuel, Saul  replies, in verse 24, “I have sinned.I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words.” In verse 25 he goes on to request pardon and says “Now therefore please pardon my sin.”

 

 

This may appear to be a good act of repentance. However, upon closer study, we find that Saul did in fact, not have any change of heart or mind at all. In verse 25 he says to Samuel, “Return with me that I may worship the Lord” and again in verse 30 “Please honour me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and go back with me that I may worship the Lord your God.” These statements betray Saul’s real concern. His primary concern was not with the fact that he had disobeyed God’s Word, but that he was worried about his reputation in the eyes of his people.

 

When we study the customs of Israel, we discover that when the King went to worship, if the Prophet was not with him, it indicated that God’s favour was not with him. So it would have been detrimental to Saul’s reputation if Samuel had not gone with him. Thus in Saul’s life we find no sign of a change of heart nor the action that should have followed such a change, which would have naturally been to immediately command that his soldiers kill the King Agag and also destroy all the animals brought with. We find the result in vs.26. God “rejected” Saul permanently.  See also Hebrews 12:16,17 - Esau.

 

 

 

REPENTANCE MUST ALWAYS PRECEDE FAITH

 

Mark 1:2-4

 

In this passage we find God’s principles of “Repentance preceding Faith” expressed through the ministry of John the Baptist. His message was one of “Repentance” (vs.4) “for forgiveness.” Forgiveness will never take place without proper repentance, which must come first as we have seen in the lives of Saul and Judas Iscariot.

 

 

Mark 1:14-15

 

In these verses we find that the content of Jesus’ preaching was “repent and believe in the Gospel” (vs.15). Again we see that repentance precedes faith and belief. The first commandment that ever fell from the lips of Jesus was that men must first “repent” and then believe.

 

 

Luke 24:46-47

 

Our Lord’s commission to His disciples at the end of His walk on earth was that “repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name to all nations” ....

In other words Jesus commissioned the church to preach this message in which repentance comes first.

 

However, unfortunately, we often find that repentance is lacking in much of our modern preaching with the unfortunate results that we have already seen. The message of the church should not be “only believe ” but rather  “repent and believe”.

Many of the problems that Christians have in improper conversion, lack of commitment and inability to find proper forgiveness, is due to failure to properly repent.

 

 

Acts 2:37- 38

 

Again we find the process laid out for us which begins with repentance and then faith, which is involved with baptism, which in turn leads to the reception of the Promise of the Father.

 

Again we must emphasize that repentance is a foundation for many other things and when it is not properly exercised we have a number of problems. One of the main difficulties experienced in the area of deliverance from demonic oppression and possession, is that people refuse to repent from the impressions, emotions and desires and operations of demonic personalities in and upon them. Whereas they want to get rid of the torment of demon powers, they do not want to change their mind and turn around from those activities and thoughts and emotions that give demons their place in their lives.

 

 

 

OPPORTUNITY FOR REPENTANCE GIVEN BY GOD

 

John 6:44

 

It is clear from the Scriptures that no man is capable of repenting on his own. It is God who draws him and creates the circumstances which are favourable towards making a decision.

These circumstances often involve hardships, difficulties and problems where we burn ourselves out and come to the end of our tether, although not in every case. It is when the Holy Spirit has both brought a man to this point as in the case of the Prodigal Son, as well as revealing to man his need and the Gospel Message, that man has to make his decision.

 

Therefore, although the opportunity is given by God, the actual act of repentance still remains man’s responsibility.

In the life of Saul we see such an opportunity arising, but Saul chose to carry on his own way and exalt himself. It is also possible for man to throw away the opportunity to repent and go beyond, and too far, and find himself in a position where he can no longer repent ! This appears to have been the case with Judas, who had chosen to take a path from which he no longer could find an exit. It is therefore so IMPORTANT for man to be SUBMISSIVE and HUMBLE enough to RECEIVE the opportunity God gives him and TURN AROUND and receive God’s offer of forgiveness.

 

 

Psalm 51:10

 

It is possible for man to PRAY and ask God to HELP him to change his heart, and bring him to the place of repentance. Here we find David virtually asking God for this. There are many cases in history where unbelievers have cried to God to help them to come to a place of repentance, a call which God is only too eager to answer.

 

Repentance of course does not only apply to the unsaved, but also to the Christian who is in the process of sanctification. Very often the process of sanctification is that we first are convicted concerning the things that are wrong in our lives by the Word of God. We can then call on the Lord to help us to repent and change our minds and go in the opposite direction. Sometimes the situation arises where we even stop doing what is wrong because we know it is wrong, and sometime later, the actual change of heart comes about, where we no longer want to do what is wrong.

 

 

Acts 17:30

 

We must always remember though, that the final decision to change still remains man’s responsibility, as God commands us in this passage to repent. This must be emphasized, as there are people who put the whole responsibility on God, and when challenged about their sin, simply say “Oh God has not given me a heart of repentance yet.” In such cases it is usually an excuse to carry on doing what they enjoy, and they in fact betray the fact that they have rejected God’s opportunity and are going their own way.  We must always remember that faith is “doing what God commands, unconditionally”. This can only be done when we have turned from doing OUR things OUR way. Therefore, true faith can only follow TRUE REPENTANCE, and very often the reason why we do not have faith, is because we have not repented from our own ideas and thoughts and lifestyles.

See also Psalm 80:3,7,19 and Lamentations 5:21.

 

 

             

SUMMARY

 

Repentance is a radical change of mind and heart which is the result of seeing your true spiritual state in the light of God’s perfection.

 

 

 

HOW DO YOU REPENT ?

 

1.   You accept only God’s attitude to sin.

2.   You see yourself as personally guilty of rebellion against God and His holy laws.

3.   You obey God’s call and turn TO Him FROM sin.