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Presented, September 3, 2006 am

TRUE REPENTANCE

Today, I want to study an important subject that we need to continually remind ourselves about.  It is a subject that many don’t want to hear because it reminds them of some things they know deep down they need to do.  Often times, we just get comfortable burying those things we want to forget about only to find that preaching on this subject brings our issues back to the forefront.  I am talking about the subject of repentance.  In this lesson we want to begin examining this important subject.  We want to notice what true repentance is, who needs to repent and what is involved in true repentance.

I.                     What is true repentance?

a.        Defined in English language (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, via. www.dictionary.com
1. to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often fol. by of): He repented after his thoughtless act.
2.  to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent
3.  to remember or regard with self-reproach or contrition
4.  to feel sorry for, regret:
NOTE: These English definitions help us understand why this subject is so misunderstood as it is used in the Bible.

b.       Thayer simply defines this word as, “to change one’s mind”
Strong’s says, to think differently or afterwards

c.        The Word Study Dictionary of the NT says of the Greek word that it is a compound word “meta - denoting change of place or condition and noeo – to exercise the mind, think, comprehend.”

d.       So the word actually means to change one’s mind.  Or as Louw & Nida notes it means, “to change one’s way of life as a result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness.”

e.        A change of one’s mind that leads to a TRUE and complete change of one’s actions.  Anything less is not true or complete repentance. 

To help us further understand this, let us note:

II.                   What it is not

a.        A promise to quit sinning.   When someone says, “I know this is wrong and I promise that this is the last time I will do this” or “In the near future I am going to quit doing that” they are not expressing true repentance. 
Acts 24:25 says that after hearing Paul preach, he trembled and said, “Go away for now; When I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
In this I also think of those make promises to the Lord.  “If you will help me this one time, I promise to start attending the way I ought to”, etc.

b.       Simply quitting what you are doing that is wrong.  Criminals sometimes quit their crimes not because they a repentant, but they are fearful of being caught and don’t want to go back to jail.  Wrong things often carry consequences – and there are many who simply don’t want to deal with the consequences so they quit doing something that is wrong.

c.        Being sorry – Have you ever head a child say, “I’m sorry” only to repeat the action as soon as you turn your back?  Have you ever seen an adult do the same thing?  You can be sorry for what you have done and still not repent.  2 Corinthians 7:8-10

d.       A changed life –Again there are many reasons why someone may change their life without being repentant.  They may be pressured by others.  Acts 3:19 says, “Repent and be converted” which shows that this is the product of repentance. 

e.        Simply confessing our sins – Like saying “I am sorry”, one can confess various sins without repenting of them.  We sometimes hear of criminals who confess crimes they have committed but they show no remorse.  There also many who will admit their sins, but only AFTER they have been caught.  I think of Saul in 1 Samuel 15:24-25.  After being confronted by Samuel for his failure to obey God he said, “I have sinned…” but it is evident he did not truly mean it.

f.         It is not even godly sorrow, though godly sorrow is a trait that leads to repentance.   By godly sorrow, we mean sorrow for the proper reason.  Again 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 shows this.

g.       While all of these things are not repentance, true repentance INVOLVES all of them.

III.                 Who needs repentance

a.        The one who has never obeyed the gospel needs it to be saved – Acts 17:30-31, Luke 13:5, Acts 2:38

b.       The erring Christian needs it to be restored to God – Acts 8:22, Revelation 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7.

IV.                How do we repent?

a.        We want to spend the rest of our time noting one verse that describes what true repentance will do: 
2 Corinthians 7:11

b.       Understand the context of this verse.  1 Corinthians 5 addresses a sin that the congregation was guilty of – that a man has his father’s wife and they ought to have mourned.  This leads Paul to challenge them to practice corrective discipline.
One purpose for writing 2 Corinthians was to deal with their reaction to that sin.  2:3-11 points out that they are encouraged to now forgive this sinner who has repented and accept him back into their midst.  However in writing his letters, some criticized Paul so he is forced to defend his ministry and apostleship.  Our context in 2 Cor. 7 is an explanation of why Paul wrote as he did.  His goal was to produce TRUE REPENTANCE in them which he accomplished.  So in this context, Paul describes that true repentance. 

c.        True repentance involves

                                                   i.      Diligence – a word that means, “With haste, earnestness…” (Thayer) 2 Peter 1:5, 10 use this word noting that with diligence we are to add to our faith.  We are to give diligence to make our calling and election sure…
It means we put forth due effort to address a situation.  Far too many today strive to do as little as possible and with a half-hearted effort. Diligence is the opposite of this.
Concerning repentance, this word means that we TRULY WORK AT resolving whatever it is that we need to change. 
It also demonstrates a sense of urgency to make things right.

                                                  ii.      Clearing of yourselves – the word is the same word used in 1 Peter 3:15 for defense.
What Paul is saying is that they took all steps possible to clear themselves of that which they had done wrong.  In other words, they WANTED TO BE RIGHT and they took all necessary measures to be as right as possible. 
I think of the statement of Paul in Acts 20:26 where he said, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.”  He had done everything possible for others to make sure he could not be accused.

                                                iii.      Indignation – it is word that means strong displeasure for what is wrong.  Disgusted.  Moral outrage.   Are we ever indignant at the sinful condition that surrounds us?
Concerning repentance, they despised the sinfulness of which they were accused and wanted nothing to do with it.

                                                iv.      Fear – there was reverence for God and fear of their state if they did not change.  If we are not interested in truly repenting, we ought to be fearful of what might happen. 
Matthew 10:28, “fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.”

                                                 v.      Vehement desire – means a longing desire to be right.  I think of the word, craving.  We ought to crave to be right with God (cf. Matthew 5:6).  But such cannot happen if we do not repent.  The conduct of the brethren in Corinth prompted them to take drastic measures lest they be rejected by God.

                                                vi.      Zeal - this is eager passion.  WE need zeal – in a godly way (Gal. 4:18, Titus 2:14)
Like diligence, this shows how much effort they were putting fort to make themselves right.  We see the zeal of these brethren as Paul has to correct them and bring them back in line.

                                              vii.      Vindication – the word that is associated with punishment and vengeance.  The point being they were going to take steps to makes sure justice was accomplished.  That is why they acted as they did toward their erring bother.  Understand that justice means we cannot ignore sin.
Think about that as the Lord’s church – are we ensuing her purity?  What about our own lives?

Where there is TRUE REPENTANCE these attitudes will prevail.  IF you wonder whether or not you have truly repented of past sins, look at how you have acted to resolve them.  IF what is said in this text cannot be said of you, maybe you need to TRULY REPENT.  Paul concluded his list by saying, “in all things you proved yourselves clear in this matter.”  What about you?  Is there anything you need to repent of?