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A LIFE OF REPENTANCE                         STUDY.NO.9

Sin (selfishness, rebellion) separates man from fellowship with
God.  The only way to bring down that barrier and return us to
close personal contact with Him, is by turning from our own way to
His way through "repentance".  Many Christians think of repentance
only as the initial act of Surrender to the Lord.  But in reality,
it is a continuing principle of maintaining contact with God -- it
is always the way to bring down any barrier that arises between us
and God.  In this study we are looking at this principle of
repentance which continues in the Christian's life.  Sometimes our
actions, thoughts and attitudes do not please God, and in His love
He shows us our need to change-, "repentance" is agreeing that He
is right - being willing to accept His standards, setting Him free
to work in our lives as we grow into the image of His Son.

As we become aware of God's love and graciousness toward us, we
find it hard to maintain pride, self-sufficiency and rebellion in
our lives; for we begin to admit we need Him.  It is not the
judgement or anger of God that brings us to repentance, but rather
His goodness and kindness.  Read Romans 2:4.

DEFINITION

In both Hebrew and Greek two words are translated "repent": one
refers to our emotions concern, regret, sorrow for one's actions -
"pain of mind rather than change of mind",  the other refers to a
radical change of mind and purpose in attitude to sin and God;  a
turning from our own way ("sin") to God's way - an act of will,
resulting in a change in behaviour.

From scripture stories of the response of different people to God,
we see that repentance has many elements, but common to all is a
life-changing encounter with the living God.

WHAT REPENTANCE INVOLVES

Turning from specific sin:

2 Samuel 12:1-13. At times our hearts become so hard that we are
unaware of even the most serious sin in our lives.  David's
relationship with God had withered so much that he could not hear
His voice, so God sent Nathan to bring His word to him.  As the
Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet, King David met with God,
recognized his sin, and turned from it.  There was little he could
do to alter the situation, except to surrender and allow God to
deal with him.  Read Psalm 51.  Most references to repentance in
scripture are to sin, God is very specific.  It is not sufficient
to turn from sin in general.  We need to deal with the particular
points of issue between us and God.  Read Mark 10:17-22.
God does not reveal our need in order to condemn us, but so that
we will respond to Him and allow Him to change us.  Read John
3:16,17.

Changing our ways

Luke 19:1-10.  Zacchaeus was despised and hated by his neighbours,
a rich man who gained his wealth by cheating and oppression.  But
it took only a moments' meeting with the love of Christ to
transform his life - his repentance was not indicated by words or
in a display of tears and regret, but by real action.  Giving away
half his fortune, and restoring four-times what he had gained
unjustly was a sure sign of inner change.  God will sometimes
require us to restore things we have taken as Zacchaeus had to do.
Or the Holy Spirit may prompt us to write a letter to ask
someone's forgiveness.  Restitution is only necessary if the Holy
Spirit really convicts us of it.  We need to simply ask God, "Do
you want me to restore these things I have taken?" If the Holy
Spirit does not direct us to bring restitution then we are
totally released from that situation.  No longer does Satan have
the power to accuse us that we haven't really repented.

Sometimes too there will be an emotional response to the
convicting power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We might weep
as we understand just how much God hates the sin we have
committed.  When the cock crowed three times, Peter realised he
had denied his Lord "and went out and wept bitterly", Luke 22:62.
Read Job 42:5,6; Psalm 51:1-17.  But tears and regret are not in
themselves repentance.  For sometimes we are only regretting that
we were caught!   The real indication of a sincere response is
change.  Read Matthew 3:1-8, 2 Corinthians 7:10; Leviticus 6:1-7.

A new heart attitude

Isaiah 6:1-8.  "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord .
. . " His glory filled the temple, angels worshipped before His
holy presence, and their voices shook the building.  And there in
God's presence Isaiah saw himself as he really was: a prophet, a
religious man who loved God - but totally unable to stand before
the holiness of the Lord of hosts.  Most of us are content with
our lives - we "do no harm", "go to church", "support our
families".  But somehow the presence of God shakes our pride and
independence, making it very clear that there is no room for
boasting before Him.  Read Isaiah 64:6; Luke 5:1-11; Hebrews
10:19-22.
     "But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble
     and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." Isaiah 66:2
     (RSV).
     "For thus says the high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity,
     whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in a high and holy place and
     also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit . .
     Isaiah 57:15 (RSV).

Meekness is not weakness.  Moses was the meekest man on the face
of the earth, yet he led the people of Israel with strength and
authority.  But it is only as we recognise our own weakness and
lack in ourselves that God is able to use us in His strength.
While we rely on our abilities, He withdraws and cannot reveal His
power.  Numbers 12:1-9; 2 Corinthians 1:8,9; 12:1-10; John 8:28,
29.

Note the contrast in the blessings of the prodigal son and his
elder brother, as one came recognizing his need, humble before his
father, and the other reacted with pride and self-satisfaction.
Luke 15:11-32.

Surrender to the King

John 20:24-28.  Thomas's response to the risen Christ was an act of
repentance: a turning from unbelief and doubt to surrender and
worship of Jesus as his Lord.  Read Acts 9:3-6.
The kingdom of God refers to His royal power, His sovereignty and
rule.  Repentance brings us personally under that rule.  It is a
submission to His Lordship, as we meet with the King. In the New
Testament, as the gospel is preached, repentance and the kingdom
are often linked.

     "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." John the
     Baptist said.  Matthew 3:2 (RSV).  "The time is fulfilled,
     and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe in the
     gospel." Jesus said.  Mark 1:15.

Peter on the day of Pentecost announced the coming of the Messiah,
the Christ, the Lord of lords.  In response to his charge that his
hearers had killed and rejected the King, they asked,"What shall
we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent . . ." Acts 2:37,38.

Our initial surrender to Jesus as Lord transfers us from the
dominion of darkness - the control of Satan - into the rule of
God.  We submit to another standard of behaviour and life.  We are
under the rule of the King.  But there is nothing negative about
that rule - the New Testament contains only one definition of the
nature of the kingdom: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit.  We know Christianity should be a life of victory and joy -
but for many the joy gradually leaks away, leaving only a hope
that things will change.  Our experience of joy, peace and an
assurance of "right-standing" with God is completely dependent on
our continuing always in submission to Him.  Jesus links the
attitude of humility and dependence on God directly to the kingdom
in Matthew 5:3 (Amp.): "Blessed - happy, to be envied . . . - are
the poor in spirit . . . . for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!"
Repentance is the gateway to the kingdom of God, and it is also
the pathway within it.  In maintaining that continual attitude of
surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ we stay in the place where He
can gradually unfold His purpose for our lives and lead us into
the complete enjoyment of abounding life and fulfillment - the
overflowing blessings of the kingdom.


THE END