Reading 3 – Sunday, December 6, 2020
Genuine Repentance
E. Mtikama, Malawi
Beloved brothers and sisters, in this Week of Prayer reading, I am delighted to share with you the topic of repentance. Our Lord Jesus Christ told a story of two brothers assigned to go and work
in their father’s vineyard. The first brother refused, but later changed his mind and did what he had been asked to do. The second brother accepted immediately, but then did not go. Why did the first brother, who had initially refused, change his mind? He came to the realization that he was wrong for not obeying his father and repented.
What is repentance? Three Hebrew words for repentance are used in the Bible. They are: nacham (naw-kham), meaning “a feeling of regret, to relent, or to repent”; shuwb (shoob), meaning “to return or turn back”; and teshuvah, meaning “to return to God.” The word “repent” in Greek is metanoia (metan’- oy-ah), which means “a change of mind, regret, or remorse.” In the parable of the two brothers, we can see that one brother changed his mind. An internal influence of the Holy Spirit guided him to repentance.
The Spirit of Prophecy defines repentance as something that “includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it.” —Steps to Christ, p. 23. This is the repentance that applies to man.
True repentance takes place in the mind of a person. The mind ontrols the whole body, and, if true repentance takes place, the body will obey the will of God, not the lust of the flesh. “When the mind is not under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, Satan can mold it as he chooses.” —Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 22. “Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the things of this earth and fills the soul with a desire for holiness.” — The Acts of the Apostles, p. 52.
In the beginning
During Solomon’s reign, from 970 to 931 BCE, the building of the temple was completed. During the service of dedication, King Solomon knelt before the people and prayed, saying, “We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness.” (1 Kings 8:47). Following his prayer, thousands of animals were sacrificed. Although the blood of animals was needed to obtain pardon for sin, God takes no pleasure “in burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Hebrews 10:6). They were only a representation of the true sacrifice to come. “The patriarchs, the prophets, the martyrs from righteous Abel, looked forward to a coming Saviour, and they showed their faith in him by sacrifices and offerings.” —The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1893.
In the Old Testament, the phrases “turn away from evil” and “turn to God” are frequently used in place of the word “repent.” “Turn ye again now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever.” (Jeremiah 25:5). “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!” (Isaiah 45:22 ESV).
Atonement through the blood of animals was required for sins. However, for the specific sins of blasphemy, homosexuality, witchcraft, Sabbath breaking, human sacrifices to Molech, adultery, and apostasy in worshiping other gods, people were stoned to death (Leviticus 20; Exodus 21:28; 31:15; Leviticus 24:16; Deuteronomy 13:10; 22:21-22). The condemned sinners could plead for
forgiveness, but their plea needed to be accompanied by the blood of sacrificial animals.
A gift from God
Receiving a gift does not depend on one’s wishes or actions. We may be eager to receive something, but what is given depends on the giver not the recipient. On the other hand, all gifts are precious in the eyes of the giver. Many people don’t value what they receive and are always wishing for something more. God gave the precious gift of His own Son to our lost world, to lead us to repentance, but many do not appreciate that gift. “Repentance, as well as forgiveness, is the gift of God through Christ. It is through the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are convicted of sin
and feel our need of pardon. None but the contrite are forgiven; but it is the grace of God that makes the heart penitent.” —Counsels for the Church, p. 49. Those who understand the gift of repentance will always forgive.
During the time of Christ, the Jews, even while under Roman rule, continued the capital punishments of the Old Testament for those condemned as sinners by the Jews. Stephen was stoned. (Acts
7:59). Paul was stoned. (Acts 14:19). A woman caught in adultery would have been stoned were it not for Jesus’ intervention. (John 8:3-11). Jesus Christ also was threatened with stoning. (John 8:59). This shows that the Jews did not fully understand the gift of repentance. It is the same today. When we notice that a brother or a sister has sinned, we often hurry to report the sin to the church instead of lovingly counseling the sinner to repent.
Who should repent?
Sinners are invited to repent. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32). Usually, when we talk about repentance, we think of others and not ourselves. This is not only the thinking of the world, but also within the church. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8). This verse uses the singular form of the
word “sin,” referring to “transgression of the law” of God. (1 John 3:4). Because of the disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we have inherited their sinful nature and also the consequences of sinful ractices. So then, if we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar. We humans sin on a daily basis through our errors and mistakes, which are accounted as sin in the
eyes of God. Solomon says, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). God admonishes us, however, not to continue in sin. How then, can we stop sinning? It is through true repentance and asking guidance from God, through the help of the Holy Spirit, who shows us our errors and mistakes.
Satan is not happy when people truly repent. Zechariah`s description of Joshua the high priest is a striking representation of each sinner for whom Christ is mediating. Satan stands at the right hand of the advocate, resisting the work of Christ. Because the sinner had chosen Satan as ruler, Satan claims that sinner as his property. “In the prophecy of Zechariah is brought to view Satan`s accusing work, and the work of Christ in resisting the adversary of His people.” —Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 166.
The love and goodness of God
The love of God is so great that even while we were sinners, He sent His son to die for us. It is only through the goodness and love of God that people come to repentance. “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3). “If you can so impress your children that they will exercise that repentance which is
acceptable to God, that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of, the work will be thorough, the reform certain.” —Child Guidance, p. 459.
The repentance that results from the fear of punishment or payment for sin is not regarded as true repentance. Because Judas Iscariot feared the result of his sin, he “repented” and returned thirty pieces of silver to the priests. “Judas then threw himself at the Saviour`s feet. He confessed that Jesus was the Son of God and begged Him to deliver Himself from His enemies. The Saviour knew that Judas did not really repent for what he had done. The false disciple feared that punishment would come upon him for this terrible deed; but he felt no real sorrow because he had betrayed the spotless Son of God.” —The Story of Jesus, p. 121. “The convicted sinner has something to do besides repent; he must act his part in order to be accepted by God. He must believe that God accepts his repentance, according to His promise.” —Evangelism, p. 287. Besides not having sorrow for his wrong act, Judas did not believe that God would accept his repentance, and he hung himself. His love for worldly approval hindered him from coming to true repentance. “The world holds your affections, and its customs are more agreeable to you than obedience to the heavenly Teacher.” —Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 432.
Fruits of repentance
Every tree is known by its fruit. “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 NKJV). In the world, there are both genuine and counterfeit products. The appearance of these products may be the same, but they differ in function and durability. If you are not careful, you can be easily tricked into choosing the counterfeit. Satan can lead people to display repentance that appears genuine, but because it is done through the carnal heart, the sinner receives no spiritual benefit. One fruit of repentance is putting into practice the truths that have been learned, which will cause us to grow spiritually. “At times you may have a desire to repent. But unless you decidedly reform and put into practice the truths you have learned, unless you have an active, working faith, a faith that is constantly increasing in strength, your repentance is as the morning dew. It will give no permanent relief to the soul. A repentance caused by a spasmodic exercise of the feelings is a repentance that needs to be repented of; for it is delusive.” —Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 108.
Dangers of ignoring the call to repentance
Achan refused to repent and confess. As a result, both he and his entire family were stoned; then their bodies and all their possessions were burned. A man will always reap what he sows. “While
they were professing to be God’s commandment-keeping people, their works denied their faith, and without true repentance for their sins they would have no part in the kingdom of Christ.” —Review and Herald, January 14, 1873. The Apostle Peter made it clear: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). We should therefore realize from whence we have fallen and repent before it is too late. We should not be profane,
or irreverant, like Esau, who would not repent. “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Hebrews 12:16,17). We should not fight against the Holy Spirit as He invites us to repent. We should not be defensive about our wrongdoings. A repentant person will not continue in sin.
Probation will soon close, and we have no time to waste. The signs of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ are almost fulfilled. Those who read the Scriptures should awake from their slumber and make a determined effort to accept the call to repentance given
by the Holy Spirit. May God help all of us to come to true repentance so that fruits of true repentance will be manifested in our daily lives. May God bless you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.