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The Need To Repent Of Our Sins (2)
John R. Gentry
How Is Repentance Brought About?
Because repentance is vital to our salvation, we need to know how to bring about true repentance. How can a person’s stubborn will be broken? How can one be moved to abhor their rebellious sins and turn to cling to the Savior, longing for the Prince of Peace to control their will?
One way is to help people understand that there is a Judgment Day coming and that if we are still in our sins this will truly be a sad day. Consider what Jesus said in Matt. 11.20-24; 12.41. In these passages he appealed to the terrors of the Judgment to induce these people to repent. Paul mentions the Judgment Day in connection with repentance in Acts 17.30-31. We, too, need to tell people of the fearful consequences of remaining in their sins and urge them to repent. As to whether or not this is effective, consider the fact that this was and is effective in our own lives.
In connection with teaching on the Judgment and consequences of sin, we must also teach the goodness of God. Rom. 2.4 – the kindness of God is meant to lead people to repentance. Jas. 1.17; Eph. 1.3; Matt. 6.33 – all physical and spiritual blessings come from God, especially to the righteous 2 Pet. 3.9; Rev. 22.17 – the Lord daily desires for all to come to him.
Conclusion
For those who have not repented, consider now the Judgment and the consequences of remaining in your sins! Consider the terror of the Judgment and eternal hell fire! If you have thought about this before, but shook it off and never repented, face it now, do not shake it off!
For those who have not repented, consider now the goodness of God and the blessings, especially spiritual blessings, he desires to give you. The Lord is willing to forgive you of your sins, adopt you as his child, give you peace that surpasses understanding and bless you with a home in Heaven! If you have thought about this before, but shook it off and never repented, face it now and repent!
The Lord is waiting to bless you, if you will simply surrender your will to his. “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6.2). If you are not yet a child of God, come to Jesus repenting of your sins, confessing your faith in the Lord and being immersed into Christ for the remission of your sins (Rom. 10.9-10; Col. 2.11-13).
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.10.17