II Chronicles 6:12-21 Ezekiel 18:30-32

Part 2  “THE NATURE OF TRUE REPENTANCE”

In order for us to get a better understanding of just what constitutes “True Repentance” it might possibly help if we first understand what  is not, Acts 8:9-23..Not all the gold in all of the coffers of every king who has ever lived is enough to pay for the repentance of even one man. In fact, if we believe the word of God we know that just the opposite would probably ring true. Sermons have been preached and people have quaked and trembled, to no avail. Man has built great stone, steel and glass edifices and termed them to be “Temples of the most high God” and never once spoke a word of truth inside its walls. Many thousands have been moved to tears by one televangelist or another and millions more have been struck dumb by the velvet tones of the Seminary educated social gospel Pastors and others. We have at one time or another witnessed entire congregations who are moved to tears under the spell of some charismatic “fly away or die today” social church pastor. The one thing that all of the supposed sheep have in common is, “when they get up to leave the building or turn the T.V. channel or what ever, they leave behind all that was spoken. None of the above is what true repentance is about.

Acts 26:27-28...here we find Paul as he confronts King Agrippa and all but demands that Agrippa confess that he has both heard the message of the prophets of old and belives. But then we read what Agrippa says “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian”.. ALMOST!!  Almost persuaded then and almost persuaded now just doesn’t get the job done. Let me tell you some­thing else, “What a friend we have in Jesus” is not too much better, es­pecially since most of us treat Jesus as a second class citizen. Almost persuaded is totally ridiculous because God the Holy Spirit does not almost persuade anyone whom God the Father called from before the foundation of the world, and called them in Christ Jesus to be placed as sons and as daughters in His Kingdom. We are all familiar with the plight of Israel in bondage in Egypt and that after they had begun their march from Egypt to the land of Canaan, Pharoah and his army gave chase to recapture them. It seems as if Pharoah had only been "Almost Persuaded" to let the people go. It rings true today that many of our people are just like Pharoah, "almost persuaded", and "true repentance" is never really affected in the individual. The probable reason that "they were almost persuaded" is because like Pharoah, they stand at the left hand side of Election!

Confessing sin is not repentance, it is simply one of the first steps toward establishing a penitent spirit or nature in the one in whom God the Holy Spirit has begun a great work. Millions have walked the church aisle and gone forward to the altar, taken the preachers hand or sat in a con­fessional booth and confessed for all the world to see and hear.. “I am a sinner.” This is not true repentance,and the world knew already that we were sinners. Many have confessed to small sins, huge vile sins, sins of the heart, sins of the mind or sins of the soul and never have the slightest inkling as to just how serious their sins really are. God is not some  senile old  man who has to be reminded by us that all have sinned against His Law Word. God wrote the book on man being a sinner..Romans 3:23 “FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD!” That three letter word “ALL” means just what it says and everyone is included. Romans 3:10 tells us that “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” and vs 11 says "there is none that seeketh after God". And in vs-12 we read “...there is none that doeth good..” Galatians 3:22 tells us that... “the scripture hath concluded us all under sin...” Matthew 27:3-5, There are many in the social church that would have you believe that Judas/Jew-dus was saved because he repented and it says so in vs-3. This  devil was no different than the modern day devil-seed, when he realized that he was condemned and his sentence was eternal death he regretted that he had been caught for that which he had done. (repented here is from the Greek #3338, metamellomai). So, he even went so far as to throw down the 30 pieces of silver, was he a saved man? Hardly, as he went and hanged himself.. .vs-5!

You may well be asking right about now, “How then does one begin to re­cognize the nature of true repentance?” Matthew 21:28-30, Here we are shown the actions of two sons, the first went from rebellion against his father to repentance and the second went from compliance and agreement to rebellion. The first son reconsidered a scornful act in his mind, and his heart was turned 180-degrees. When a man experiences in himself the act of true repentance he is not to glory in it on his own behalf, for it is not the intellect of man that accomplishes the act. We must give all the glory to God the Holy Spirit who has done a regenerating work in the soul and spirit of the individual, causing a condemnation of self. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God in the earth was the Gospel which Christ Jesus brought and taught and it contains all doctrine necessary for the healing of the nation and its people. Included in this Gospel of the Kingdom is the doctrine of repentance which is made possible only through the “Amazing Grace” of Yah­weh. Here-in lies our only hope as we stand guilty in sin and condemned, Yahweh God issues the call and God the Holy Spirit causes man to fall on his face before God because of a heart broken by sin.

Acts 20:18-21; Paul expresses the idea here that faith in Christ is non­existant where repentance has not been made toward God. We are made to see in scripture that the two, faith and repentance, are not to be seperated. When man repents from his sins, it is acknowledgement of divine judgement or God’s condemnation of sin. Faith is the hearts acceptance of grace and mercy extended to us in Christ Jesus.

Repentance is not just turning over a new leaf, nor vowing to mend our ways. It is the waygiven us where-by we say that "Yahweh is Sovereign and in or of my­self, my cause is hopeless". Then a converted or changed nature becomes effective, and even though we still have that sin nature we know that it has been dealt a death blow. Acts 3:19-20, when our sins are blotted out and we are born from above we know that it is from Yahweh that our spirit is refreshed. We now anxiously await the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ the Redeemer, Saviour and King of Israel. The House of Faith for the one who repents and is “born from above/born again” begins with repentance.

Luke 18:13-14, even though the word repentance is not used here, we may well witness the Publican/IRS agent did confess his sins when he uttered the words, “God, be merciful to me a sinner”. He was made to look inside himself and see the vast difference between the life he led and the life which God would have him lead, We can surely see God the Holy Spirit as He does a work in this man. The IRS agent of that day saw the stumbling block of his own decay and was made witness to his own immorality. Jesus said in vs-14 that “this man went down to his house justified.”  We have all read or been told the story of the two criminals who were hanged on a cross on either side of Jesus. Here we have two witnesses, one to true repentance and one to the utter rejection of truth. One criminal remained in his immorality and denial of God and Christ while the other made the move to repentance as he spoke those words we all know so well, “remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom.” What a promise he received from Christ, “Today thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.”

We read in Psalm 51 of David as he prayed for forgiveness, David pleaded for the tender mercies of God to blot out his sins and cleanse him from his sins. He expresses the knowledge that he was conceived in sin and con­fesses his blood guiltiness (causing mans blood to be shed). Then in vs-17 we are shown that the only sacrifice to God for our sins is a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. This my friend is “True Repentance.” It is certain that there was no way for David to gloss over his sins, and we must learn the same fact. Sin is a malignancy in all of Adam kind. It is just as much a disease in our Anglo-Saxon Israelite people as is cancer and heart disease. Cancer will kill you dead, congestive heart failure will kill you dead, and sin will kill you just as dead.

Let me tell you this, “Man would love nothing better than to enter into some form of labor-union and management contract with God.” Man would love to be able to sit down and negotiate a contract with God where-by he could exact X-pounds of Grace for X-number of sins repented of, or at the very least confessed to. This sounds like some of the typical madness which one encounters in todays social church system. However, the one sure thing con­cerning something this crass is, Yahweh is not going to sit down at the bargaining table and compromise regeneration and repentance with members of the ISU, which is the  International sinners union, Local #666. Indulgences may be arranged and even purchased through the world church, but Yahweh, God of Hosts, is not going to be a participant. There must be an acknowledge­ment of and forsaking of sin by man before God pardons the sinner..Psalm 130:1-8 and Isa 55:6-7. Pardon will be granted to those who have a change of heart and forsakes his evil ways for that which is righteous and true. God will not grant mercy and pardon at the expense of His holiness nor will He display even one of His attributes so as to cause dishonor on another one. The nature and Being of Yahweh is Divine and Sovereign and not subject to change.

I  Thess 1:9-10, you may think this next remark strange, but the more you dwell on it the more sensible it becomes. “True Repentance is the neg­ative side of conversion” or, “you don’t get something without giving up something.” Conversion is a whole hearted turning from worldly idols toward God. You can not turn toward something or someone without first having to turn away from something or someone. Man must turn away from sin before he can turn and draw nigh unto God. Job 22:21-23, this great scripture is telling us to call upon Him who calls us out of this world, acquaint ourselves with Him and be at peace True peace is in God and True Peace is known when we make true repentance with God.

Romans 8:7,. Eph 2:12-16, James 4:4, Carnal man, or man who goes in the way of the flesh rather than the way of the spirit can-not and will not keep God’s Law or understand God’s will for him. Man in the flesh is at en­mity with God, and man without God is without Christ also and is alien from the common-wealth of Israel. He lives outside of covenant relationship for his friendship is with the world. Since man can not serve two masters, he must do as Joshua and choose this day who he will serve! Colossians 1:19-20, Peace for the believer was truly made with the blood of Christ on the Cross. It is also equally true that no sinner of Adams Race will ever enter into the peace and safety of that blood covering until he makes peace with Yah­weh through the act of True Repentance. It is not enough to be Adam or Israel, nor is it enough to simply confess that Jesus is the son of God. We must be indwelled by God the Holy Spirit to throw down the weapons of our warfare and cease fighting against God. We must repent of our sins and turn from evil and have the Peace of God ruling our hearts and lives.

Luke 14:31-35, Who was it that from a great distance sent an ambassador to establish a way of peace? Who was it that transcended time and space to authenticate claim upon a people who were rightfully His? Praise God, it was Yahweh the Father and Jesus the Son. Salt is a preservative my friends and True Repentance is the salt of our preservation, and if the salt of repentance is cast off, that one will be cast out for all eternity.

II Chron 6:26-27 & 7:14...This is quite possibly the most moving and profound scripture that one can move forward with today. “My people” says Yahweh, those who are called by My name...or, upon whom My name is called! This reading from the Bible means exactly what it says, and it addresses only those who are known of God and called by or in His name.. Christians!  All of us who meet this criteria need to do exactly as the Word commands us to do. We are to Confess our sins and Praise the name of our God Yahweh, then approach Him humbly  with a contrite heart and a subdued spirit. We must pray that His will is ours and we must acknowledge that we are sinners and that with the Holy Spirit at work in our lives we spurn and turn from that old sin nature. We read here that Yahweh promises that He will hear our petition, forgive our sins and heal our lands... .and we definitely need all three.

To reap the fruits of True Repentance we must heed the words of Ezekiel 14:6, we must repent and turn away from our worldly idols and abominations. When this is done we will realize the truth of Ezekiel 20:42-43. We will recognize Yahweh as the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and be secure in our place with Him. We will surely know that Yahweh is God and that He selected us in Christ Jesus from all eternity to be His peculiar people. We will rejoice in Him and be thankful that He has wiped away all the wicked and corrupt things. II Cor 7:9-10 Paul says that it is godly sorrow that worketh repentance to salvation which is not to be repented of (denied). There are and have been many who thought that their temporary pangs of guilt or anxiety was repentance. These are the ones of whom we previously spoke and mentioned that they had left their repentance and confession of faith in the pew when the Sabbath service was finished. For all of those who truly repent, they will find that they begin to enjoy the fruits of the Spirit as is told in Gal 5:22-24. A truly regenerated soul and spirit in true repentance is literally cut to the quick for ever having opposed Yahweh the One True and Ever Living God.

Lets read Proverbs 28:13.. .It is second nature to the sinner to minimize or candy-coat, or even deny his sins. In the Bible we see many instances of just such an event, Adam attempted to shift all the blame to Eve,  Josephs bro­thers used a lie and a cover story to hide their sin of selling him into slavery,  then there was Peter who denied even knowing who Jesus was. God requires that we confess the sin and turn away from it; Matt 6:24, No man can partake of the Body and Blood of Christ and continue to drink of the cup of Be’lial.  Matthew 3:8 tells us to bring forth the fruits meet for re­pentance, or to do the things which are suitable to detect a change in your life. There are three things that “work together for good to them that love God those being, "a change of mind, a change of heart and a change of direction"!

Psalm 51:10-13..no man can have a right heart with Yahweh and not be right with his brethern, Matt 5:23-26. Godly repentance is accomplished by restitution and reconcilliation. You must be right with your brother not with the world and its civil rulers. We must always remember this, "Repentance is never so perfect nor our faith so complete that our hearts experience no more doubting". If we ever reach that station in life, we have become guilty of self righteousness. Believe this; Repentance is an evangelical duty.. .Luke 24:47-48; Repentance is required in the Elect in all ages.. .Acts 17:29-31; Repentance is not earned, and without it the Gospel can not be believed upon unto salvation...Matt 21:32, Mark 1:15.  Repentance is a gift of Jesus Christ to Israel for the forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:29-32, since Repentance is Spirit given, it causes us to have a union with God against self. It pre-supposes God’s law and all of its righteous requirements.

There is truth in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. He is the exalted one of Yahweh God. He is lifted up to give life to those whom the Father gave Him in eternity. His blood was shed for this purpose and this alone. Matthew 5:17.. in accordance with God’s law Christ died on the Cross and in so doing He made full pardon for our sins. He made restitution in full and became our Kinsman Redeemer. Colossians 1:20-22,. Hebrews 12:22-28; Jesus was born/made under the law, He lived and died under the law, and He was resurrected and ascended under the Law. Thus to the General Assembly and the Church of the first born, to all who are & ever will be a part of the body of Christ we repeat the words of John the Baptist, “Repent Ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Today is that day when we are to be in repentance for our sins..Acts 17:30; For without repentance, the gospel can-not be savingly believed, Mark 1:15 & Matt 21:32. And we wish to close on this note, “The Father of all creation raised Christ Jesus from the grave where man had put Him by virtue of their own massive sins, Yahweh God exalted Him, Jesus, above all things, to give repentance to His people Israel as is witnessed by God the Holy Spirit.. Amen.

PASTOR RICK GIESENSCHLAG

CHRISTS’ CHURCH MILITANT

Copyright @ 2002 a.d.