We live an age where being guilty is not something to which many want to admit. When Nathan presented David face to face with his sin, David said, “I have sinned” (2 Sam. 12:13). Husbands and wives get into a hassle with each other, but it is never either of their faults. He is the problem or she is the problem. This is why repentance doesn’t seem to carry much weight in our society. Someone says something that isn’t right, and only after a backlash by society, do they say, “Oh, I am sorry.” It is not enough to be sorry. Show by repentance your sorrow.
The guilt of sin requires repentance. Scriptures teach us that, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world wor-keth death (2 Cor. 7:10). The recognition of sin must be followed by repentance. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). On the Day of Pentecost Peter told the believers, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). In order for their sin to be removed, Peter told them to repent and be baptized. That hasn’t changed. Today an alien sinner must repent and be baptized. It is not enough to just be sorry. It is not enough just to recognize that one is a sinner but that one must repent and have their sins washed away. That was the instruction given to Saul, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). The soul is covered with the finger prints of sin and only one thing will remove it and that is being washed in the blood of the Lamb (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:13-14).
Repentance requires a change of life. David in Psalm fifty one shows a godly sorrow. “My sin is ever before me.” (vs. 3). David asked God to blot out his transgression (vs. 1). In Acts eight Simon the Sorcerer, thought the gift of God could be bought with money. How-ever, Peter informed him, “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:21-22).
John the Baptist taught, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2). Mark’s summary of Jesus’ message includes: “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk. 1:15). Jesus sent the apostles to preach that people should repent (Mk. 6:12). God com-mands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). John recorded, “As many as I love, I re-buke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Rev. 3:19).
Therefore, for the alien sinner to be forgiven he must believe (Heb. 11:6), repent (Luke 13:3), confess (Rom. 10:9-10) and be baptized (1 Pet. 3:21). For one who has al-ready become a Christian, that person must follow the same instruction given to Simon, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart be forgiven thee.”
Larry
