Jesus...

[Stan]

Going through the of Matthew again, Jesus was pretty big on repentance. Not that much of a hot topic these days is it?

Often people can confuse that with works. Wonder why?

[olger]

This is a good thread. Perhaps it isn't "popular" because it is a principle at war with pride. Times in my life when pride was on the throne, I was blinded to repentance. But, when God's goodness brings us to humble ourselves, repentance seems to come naturally doesn't it?

Either way, it seems to me that is one of the greatest needs in our lives and in our church.

G

[ClubV12]

Hmmm, interesting connection you make there Stan. Repentance=Works, for some people. So if someone mentions repentance, BAM, their a legalist.

I'll have to think about that one, but I think your onto something.

[12tribes]

Repent was the first word of John the baptist

Matthew 3:1-2

(1) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

(2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The first word of Jesus

Matthew 4:17

(17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The first word of Peter

Acts 2:37-38

(37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

(38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

[Gibs]

To repent is to die of the old man of sin and self and resolve to be a new creature and when this is done fully, nothing withheld, then He can come in since the "house" is cleaned and dwell within and we are "born again" from above. With His indwelling you now have His power to be a new creature who loves His way supremely.

This is the requisite if one is to be a Christian and be one of His precious Jewels.

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[olger]

Repentance good.

Carnality bad.

[Stan]

If you watch posts and forums, generally people want others to repent.

Just sayin'.

[Gail]

If repentance is a work, it's a really hard one to accomplish!

Tell me:

The Bible says that it's the goodness of God that leads one to repent. Does this mean that

1) looking at God and meditating on His goodness will cause us to renounce our life of sin? or

2) God's grace working in us causes us to shrink from our sinful ways?

[Naomi]

If repentance is a work, it's a really hard one to accomplish!

AMEN!!

Originally Posted By: Gail

Tell me:

The Bible says that it's the goodness of God that leads one to repent. Does this mean that

1) looking at God and meditating on His goodness will cause us to renounce our life of sin? or

2) God's grace working in us causes us to shrink from our sinful ways?

IMHO, I believe that is accomplishing by doing both. However, I need to do a lot of personal work in this area.

[Dr. Rich]

Try this: Read all of the warnings found in Rev. 2 and 3 and find all of the places where Jesus said to repent. When you do this, remember that Jesus is not talking about the whole world here, He is only warning those who would be in His kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.

So, IF the kingdom of heaven right now is the SDA church as James and Ellen White believed and Matthew 24 and 25 clearly shows, then keep in mind that all of these warnings are directed to Adventists. Try that and see what happens. Also keep in mind what repenting really means and when Jesus said to repent, He meant to repent from something that He sees as seriously wrong.