Bible Study Letters Online Tracts

Repentance and Salvation

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Reaching forth...

Repentance is needed yet little understood. The grace of repentance is essential in the plan of salvation. Sin and repentance for this reason need talked about.

The psalmist repented and with gladness turned to the Lord (Ps. 119:59,67,71). The Word of God was a comfort to him (Ps. 119:49-50; 34:4). This shows repentance. Repentance is further defined at my two tracts, Repentance Defined and also, Confronting Repentance.

Here are some verses to consider:

I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? Every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle (Jer. 8:6).

Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Mt. 11:28-29).

These verses show some do not repent as they see no sin in their life. Some repent and find rest. Those that come unto the Lord must repent.

Sorrowing over sins is in a sense repentance but for the repentance of concern there must be a turning unto the Lord. That is what our Lord Jesus required in Matthew 11:28-29.

John Baptist turned some away from baptism unless they brought forth fruits meet for repentance. Salvation requires a particular repentance. One can be most miserable because of their sins without the additional grace of salvation.

Judas ended up one very unhappy person. Esau was rejected from inheriting the blessing for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears.

That we must turn either to or away from indicates that sin is not an ineradicable stain, but by turning (repentance), a God given power, a man's destiny is redirected (2 Peter 1:3).

2 Peter 1:3
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

There is with conversion, the free sovereign act of God's mercy and man's going beyond contrition and sorrow to a conscience decision of turning to God. God has done His part, says faith, so we do our human part showing forth His work of grace on our heart through our walk. Turning to God includes acceptance of all God's total will for one's life.

With repentance there is a returning to God. There is also turning away from evil (in the sense of renouncing and disowning sin) or turning away from God (in the sense of becoming apostate).

There is a difference between remorse, which may not be pleasing to God (Ex. 13:17), and repentance, but there is assimilation (Jer. 4:28; 20:16). Remorse sees the bitter end of sin, repentance breaks free from it. The result of sin brings remorse, while a divinely commissioned call brings repentance (John 3:7; 6:45).

I hope these few words help you understand repentance better. One sorrowful over their sins and turning with joy to the Lord Jesus shows the grace of repentance.

The Son of God came and was crucified on the cross of Calvary for ours sins. He paid the complete price, His own blood, for sins. He rose from the grave the third day and ascended to heaven. One day we will see Him. What of your sins? What is the Lord Jesus Christ to you?

A message of comfort from the Scriptures,
that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope.

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Bob Krajcik
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