Repentance & Salvation
By Paul Kusiak
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY SAVED
Let’s start by defining what it means to be “saved”.
All of us sin and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus paid
the punishment of sin for us (John 3:16-17). So to be “saved” means to
be set free from the guilt and the punishment of sin by accepting Jesus
as our Savior.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY REPENT
There are two types of repentance in the New Testament.
The first is the Greek verb “metamelomai”. This word is used to show a
change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of
sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used to
describe the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3).
The second type of repentance is the verb metanoeo. When used with the
noun “metanoia”, it means to change one's mind and heart, as the result
of knowledge. This is used of true repentance, a change of mind and
heart and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
HOW DO WE REPENT?
There are three major points of true repentance:
1) Repentance consists of a true sense of one's own guilt and
sinfulness
There are two facts everyone knows. One is that there is a way we ought
to act and Two is that we don’t act that way.The first step towards
salvation starts with acknowledging the fact that we’ve sinned. We have
to be like David in 2 Samuel 12 and cry to God, “ I have sinned against
the Lord.”
2) Repentance consists of a confidence of God's mercy in Christ
Psalm 51:1 says “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing
love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.”
Repentance is not only a sense of sin, but also a confidence that God
is willing and able to forgive. We turn from our sin because we know
there is a loving God waiting to embrace us. "God gives us the option
to choose sin or salvation because He wants us to choose Him because we
want to, not because we have to." Exodus 34:6 describes God this
way: "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to
anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
3) Repentance consists of an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job
42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God
God is perfect. We are not. We are sinful. Sin is what separates us
from God. This is so tragic because we were created to fellowship with
God. This is why we should hate sin. Once we do we want God to “wash
away all our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin.”Psalm 51:2. This is
where Jesus comes in. He lived the perfect, sinless life we couldn’t.
Then, even though He was innocent, He died on the cross for our sins.
Then He rose from the grave. If we accept His sacrifice then when we
die God will raise us and we will be in heaven for eternity. The
barrier of sin is removed and we then have access to the Lord. "You are
no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people
and members of God's household." Eph 2:19
THE ROLE OF REPENTANCE IN SALVATION
As you can see, repentance is essential to salvation. If you don't
think you've done anything wrong then you won't see any reason for a
Savior (see point #1). You'll probably believe that great lie that
says "I'm a good person. I've never hurt anyone."
If you don’t think God will forgive you then you will see no reason to
turn from sin because you stand condemned with no hope (see point #2).
And if have no desire to have a relationship with God you will have no
desire to deal with the sin that separates you from Him (see point #3).
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SIN AFTER WE’RE SAVED
Obviously, even after we are saved we still sin. But the difference now
is the Spirit of God is working in us and convicting us of the sin.
So now we can apply 1 John 1:9 to our life. "If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness."
Our continuing sin is always there as a reminder that we need a Savior.
And here again is repentance. We confess our sin, are truly sorry for
them, and ask Christ to help us commit them no more. When we have this
attitude we are on our way to developing "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor.
2:16) and are regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6).
- If you would like to start a relationship with God, read How To Know
God:
www.biblestudyplanet.com/good.htm
- If you would like to more about what the Bible says about Jesus, read
Who Is Jesus?: www.biblestudyplanet.com/s5.htm
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