Must a sinner REPENT to be justified?
How can a soul repent of sins, without being convicted first? How can a person save himself when he is dead?
‘Dead’ in Greek is ‘Nekros’, which means, destitute of life, without life, inanimate, totally depraved. Metaph = spiritually dead, destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins, inactive as respects doing right, destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative, etc…
Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned (Lamentations 5:21)
In THY righteousness give me life/quicken me – Psalms 119:40.
By the righteousness of one (the last Adam) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life (Romans 5:18/1Corinthians 15:45)
If that be the case, how could God command all men everywhere to repent? (Acts 17:30) Why does the Scripture often seem incongruous? Let’s see what it means!
Jesus said, With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them; even so the Son quickens WHOM HE WILL (John 5:21).
And no man can come to the Son, EXCEPT the Father which hath sent him draw him (John 6:44).
Jesus of Nazareth lived, believed, fulfilled the requirement of the law and God raised him from the dead – Acts 3:15 – not for himself* (Messiah be cut off, but not for himself – Daniel 9:26 – unlike other high priests, this Son, is consecrated for evermore – Heb 7:28 – he is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners – Heb 7:26 – though he was similar to us according to the flesh, he was able to offer himself without spot to God THROUGH the eternal Spirit – Heb 9:14) *but he did it all for us – he pleased God on our behalf by his obedience and thus made us right with God, he quickened us together with him, having forgiven all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross (Col 2:13,14).
So now God commands all men everywhere to repent! On one side, He is letting us know–making us aware of the need for repentance, which is the starting point. Jesus said, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). That’s the requisite and that’s the bare truth. But the question is, can a sinner fulfill the demand? Or does a mere man possess the potential to execute that stipulation? That is what we shall investigate.
Yes, we all should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance (Acts 26:20) – God wants all men everywhere to repent – I am not repudiating that at all; all I am saying is that “this repentance must be wrought by God (the work of the Spirit of God) within the heart of man” before one could do works meet for repentance. What use would it serve to spread grace and truth otherwise? John 1:17
Apostle Paul instructed Timothy that – In meekness should one instruct those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25)
Know that an unregenerate soul–being in a dead state is unable to respond to the holy calling; and we expect them to repent? Repent from what? Israel knew their God; hence, they should repent. But we had no hope, and were without God in the world – Eph 2:12. Being dead in sins, God would quicken the elect by His Spirit in order to make them respond – Eph 2:5/Rom 4:17/ John 5:21. He by His eternal Spirit quickens our spirit – John 6:63/3:6.
If a man could repent on his own, then Christ would not have come. The truth is, we need to be SAVED* (a sinner must be SAVED from God before he/she could be SAVED from the power of the enemy – that is where propitiation comes in – Propitiation refers to God’s wrath, which must be appeased or calmed – Rom 3:24,25 – Propitiation is a blood sacrifice that absorbs and appeases God’s wrath against sin. In the Bible, the word for propitiation is also used of the mercy seat – then from the power of Satan/darkness/sin – Acts 26:16/ Col 1:13/Rom 1:3 – he must purchase or own us before He could work on us – Acts 20:28 – he must ransom us – 1Tim 2:6/Mark 10:45) *before God could give us a penitent heart.
Penitence is the result of the work of redemption within the heart, not the other way round. And that’s what “the gospel of grace” does to a soul. It first prepares the soul to receive the incorruptible seed of the word – 1Pet 1:23. And the unseen hand that does all is the Holy Ghost. When God says, let there be light, in a moment the Spirit that broods over that formless, void soul, transforms him/her into a new creature. What did God say? A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you (Ezekiel 36:26). To Israel God says: I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: AND they shall look upon me – Zech 12:10. Unless God initiates no creature can be saved, period.
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power (Eph 1:17-19).
When Peter said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To this Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 16:16-17).
And for the Spirit to work in a soul, that soul must first experience the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5). Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts – Gal 4:6.
The work of Grace within the heart of man precedes the Spirit indwelling. For no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost – 1Cor 12:3. That is why it is called the “gospel of the grace of God” – Acts 20:24/Titus 3:4/2Tim 1:10/1John 4:9/John 1:17. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus – 1Tim 1:14/Acts 15:11/Rom 8:32.
- This gracious gift of faith (imputed precious faith – 2Pet 1:1/Rom 12:3), entitles us to be justified “by his grace” (Rom 3:24/Tit 3:7);
- God forgives our trespasses “according to the riches of his grace” (Eph 1:7);
- He saves us “through the grace of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 15:11);
- And “makes all grace abound” to us for “every good work” (2 Cor 9:8);
- He makes his grace sufficient for all our affliction (2 Cor 12:9) and empowers us to strive harder than we thought we could (1 Cor 15:10) through the grace of God.
- He grants “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16);
- He gives us “eternal comfort and good hope through grace” (2 Thess 2:16);
That in the end “the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in us, and we in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 1:12). Where is boasting then? God hath chosen us in Christ, that no flesh should glory in His presence – 1Cor 1:29. That’s why we sing:
Amazing grace
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
To Israel it was the “gospel of Peace” Acts 10:36/Rom 5:10/2Cor 5:18. But they turned it down – Acts 13:46/3:14,15.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (John 3:7) – Except a man be born of water (word of God – Eph 5:26/1Pet 1:23) and of the Spirit, he CANNOT enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5) – the kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace (rest), and joy in the Holy Ghost –Rom 14:17– and thus be delivered from the wrath of God first –Eph 2:3/Col 3:6/Rom 5:16,18/Rom 1:32/2:5 (Propitiation – 1John 2:2 – means “to appease someone’s anger” – Propitiation is the sole means to assuage God’s wrath against sin – What was our condition? We were “dead in sins,” “powerless,” “ungodly,” “sinners,” “enemies”); and once you are at peace with God –Rom 5:1, that alone orients us to be saved from the power of darkness, and thus be translated into the kingdom of his dear Son (Col 1:13). This is that strait gate and the narrow way which Jesus was talking about, that alone leads to life (Matthew 7:14). There is simply no shortcut to it.
We were not only estranged from God, but were also under his anger (John 3:36/Rom 1:18/5:9/Gal 3:10). None of them can in any way redeem his brother or pay a ransom to God for him (Psalm 49:7). For all have come short of the glory of God – Rom 3:23. As a result, God intervened in his infinite mercy to provide Christ as the propitiation for God’s own wrath (Rom. 3:25).
But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared – Titus 3:4/John 1:17 – by the righteousness of one the FREE GIFT came upon all men unto justification of life – Rom 5:18.
That is why it is called “good news” = God’s grace/mercy is come to earth to ransom us, to justify (legal term), to purchase, to deliver, to redeem. The SAVIOR of the world is come that believing* (as many as were ordained to eternal life believed – Acts 13:48 – them that have obtained like precious faith – 2 Peter 1:1) *we might have life through his name – John 20:31.
The truth is, according to His mercy, He saved us (Titus 3:5/Rom 9:13-18). It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Some of us venerate our ‘free will‘ don’t we? Well, there’s no credence to that – to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not (Romans 7:18) – for I am carnal and sold under sin – Rom 7:14 – this is how weak a soul is apart from Christ. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:25) – that now we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37) – nevertheless, it is God which works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)
Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardens (Romans 9:16-18). What did Jesus say? For judgment, I am come into this world, that they which see not might see (the heathen); and that they which see (Israel could see what Moses and the prophets were saying) might be made blind (John 9:39).
This is the reason why the children of Israel were given the choice to repent (baptism of repentance – Mark 1:4) when the Master was present with them. But when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful (Rom 1:21) – they denied the Holy One and the Just (Acts 3:14) – they rejected the word of God – Acts 13:46 – and thus some branches were broken off – Rom 11.
And that door got shut. Didn’t Jesus warn them? He was in a way telling them that, this is one opportunity that you should not fritter away – Strive to enter in at the strait gate – Otherwise, When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without (the tabernacle of witness now in custody of the Gentiles – Acts 7:44,45), and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are (Luke 13:24,25).
That no flesh should glory in his presence (1 Corinthians 1:29) -But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30) – That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31) – toward us is pure God’s goodness – Rom 11:22
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3) – We dare not forget that! Toward us, goodness of God, if we continue in His goodness…Rom 2:4/11:22.
We received forgiveness of sin (justification unto life) not because we have repented; on the contrary, we could repent because we were forgiven in Christ and the grace of God was made available. We were able to repent because we were freely justified in believing and received the promise of the Spirit.
What does the Bible say? By the obedience of one (Jesus Christ) shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:19). Of course, repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations (Luke 24:47).
Hearing the Spirit-drenched words of Peter, they were pricked in their heart (Acts 2:37) – something supernatural had taken place in their heart before Peter could lead them to the next step. One way or the other the recipients must manifest the work of the Spirit in their hearts before they could be led further. Pricked in their heart (convicted by the Spirit of God), they said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:37). Then, Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). When Peter perceived by the Spirit that the Holy Ghost had touched their hearts, he understood that they have received grace from God and are now able to perform whatever they could not do on their own.
At other instances, hearing the word of God, the Holy Ghost fell upon them even before they were baptized in water – Acts 10:44-47. They all experienced the new birth in the Spirit before they could begin to know what repentance really means. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God (1 Peter 1:23).
The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and our continual feeding on the word of God brings us to the full disclosure of our true nature and thus being conscious of our innate fallen nature, we in our personal devotion and fellowship with God often show remorse and shall thus be sanctified.
Repentance is not a one-time action but an ongoing one. Thus we get to confess our sins, and he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9/2:1). “Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21) Our hearts get sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies get washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22) in believing. If “repentance” was erstwhile, then what is the purpose behind an advocate being assigned with the Father? 1John 2:1
What does the new Covenant say? I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them (Hebrews 10:16) – And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more (Hebrews 10:17) – For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14)
To Israel God said, I do not this for your sakes, but I had pity for mine holy name – for mine holy name’s sake – I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean – A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you – I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes – I will also save you from all your uncleannesses – Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Ezekiel 36:21-31. Here we see that forgiveness precedes repentance. Being justified freely by his grace – Rom 3:24.
But mere words like “I repent of my sins” which many ministers of the gospel would coerce their hearers to say isn’t a valid one. You don’t need anyone to tell you to repent anymore, he could tell you ABOUT repentance but command TO repent that was for Israel. I will tell the difference! Israel who KNEW God had forsaken Him – Jeremiah 2:13 – when they KNEW God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened – Rom 1:21 – they denied the Holy One and the Just – Acts 3:14/5:30-32 – and they must repent and turn back to God. That was what John’s baptism had meant – He baptized Jews for repentance in the River Jordan.
An exclusive grace (of the manifold grace of God – 1 Peter 4:10 – KJV) was made available to them, as the author of ‘grace” himself – John 1:17 – was present with them. The Apostles were prohibited to convert the Gentles but were commanded to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6), why? Because firstly, their rejection must come to its fulness, which would result in our acceptance – Rom 11:19/Acts 13:46 – secondly, the New Testament was not yet in force and Gentiles couldn’t be designated for inheriting that which belongs to Israel, to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came – Rom 9: 4,5.
And for this cause, he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance – Heb 9:15.
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel (Acts 10:36) – one of the primary reasons why God hath exalted with his right hand, Jesus Christ whom they slew and hanged on a tree, to be a Prince and a Savior is to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins – Acts 5:30-32. Otherwise, Israel would not and cannot repent – they couldn’t bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3:8), why? they still had the conscience of sin – Heb 10:2 – for they have gone astray like a lost sheep (Psalm 119:176/Isaiah 53:6/Matt 18:12/ 2Pet 2:15) – Psalmist prayed to seek thy servant (Jacob)(Psalm 119:176) – And God in His great mercy had heard that prayer and sent the good shepherd to seek and to save that which is lost – Matt 15:24/John 10:11/Luke 19:10.
Remember Jesus was not yet glorified when the baptism of repentance was being preached – John 7:39 – And without shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Only the shed blood of Christ can purge a soul and make a soul right with God.
On the other hand, the heathens, were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world – Eph 2:12 – they that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled – Titus 1:15. And how on earth one could expect a heathen to repent? Repent from what?
There must be first the conscience of sins for one to repent, right? His heart is so lost that only God’s grace can save him. He must be justified freely to walk again in newness of life. He’s lost his soundness way back in Adam. If we expect the heathen to repent, it’s just wishful thinking. You are wasting your time preaching it. Even Israel with whom God had dwelt couldn’t come to repentance.
One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see (John 9:25). The goodness of God had led to my repentance – Rom 2:4. I don’t know about you; it was nothing other than pure goodness towards me that had saved me – Rom 11:22. That is why we are called the elect, the chosen – 1Pet 1:2/Rom 8:33/Col 3:12/ 1Thess 1:4/Titus 1:1/James 2:5 – God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation – 2 Thess 2:13/Eph 1:4/John 15:16.
Introducing people to Jesus Christ is what we must do than trying to make them repent. Isn’t it a ludicrous idea to approach a Hindu who has no clue about who YHWH is and ask him to repent, who believes in 330 million gods and goddesses? Isn’t it proper to introduce Christ to the world first and then the rest of the work leave it to the Holy Ghost? Why would men want to interrupt the work of the Spirit? Our job is to preach Christ crucified – 1Cor 1:23 – Know that, the Gentiles weren’t grafted in until Acts 10 – it began with the conversion of Cornelius and family.
Afterwards we read: God also granted the Gentiles repentance unto life – Acts 11:18. As he was commissioned an apostle to the Jews – Gal 2:8 – Peter got used to preaching repentance; but that all changed after he saw a vision in Acts 10. If we study carefully the commissioning of Paul was so crucial and his positioning within the Christendom was pivotal in bringing stability to the structure of the Christendom – Gal 2:11.
What did Saul do, he straightway preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God (Acts 9:20) – Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them (Acts 8:5) – And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ (Acts 5:42).
But what are we doing? What kind of gospel message is now being disseminated? Christ is not the crux of the matter anymore. To simply put it, He is not the central theme.
Israel had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness (Acts 7:44) – but is now in the possession of the Gentiles (Acts 7:45 – a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands – Hebrews 9:11).
Now you know the reason why the message of repentance was primarily preached in the gospels; mind you, they were still under the Old Testament – for Christ was not yet crucified. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth (Hebrews 9:17). And the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing (Hebrews 9:8-11).
Having now received the remission of sins and iniquities – by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh – and having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, we now can boldly enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:17-22).
Repentance is solely the work of the Holy Ghost in the heart of man – otherwise, what is grace for? If a person is broken and contrite in heart or is lost and is desperately longing for life within, the grace of God is made available to such.
Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labor (wearied) and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28) – He revives the spirit of the humble, and revives the heart of the contrite ones (Isaiah 57: 15/Psalm 51:17) – The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saves such as be of a contrite (crushed) spirit (Psalm 34:18)
Confession of the mouth is the effect of the inward work of the Spirit of Grace. If so, how could we demand a confession of the mouth without having a change of heart first? For with the heart, man believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10). Justification unto life happens at this point. Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness – Rom 4:3. We also believed the witness of God – 1 John 5:9-11 – and thus were freely justified. The next phase: And with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10).
Natural man receives not the things of the Spirit – he doesn’t understand for it is foolishness—which means, unless the Holy Ghost regenerates him so as to discern. Natural man is the antonym of a Spiritual man, and the spiritual man understands the things of God. The word of the cross is repulsive to the natural man. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). If you preach to the natural man, follow the crucified Christ, he will tell you it is foolishness. The natural man is sensual (psuchikos), having not the Spirit (Jude 1:19).
So how do we resolve this issue of the heart. Grace must seek or invade a sinner and the preaching of the gospel is crucial. The preaching of the cross and the work of Grace in the heart go in tandem. Grace gets initiated in the elect’s heart when the gospel, which is the power of God is heard by the mouth. The Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe (Acts 15:7 – KJV). The light of Christ that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19). Now we have received the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12) – God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10) – no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 12:3). His or her spirit must confess Jesus – but the dead in spirit cannot unless they are revived by the Holy Spirit. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God (1 John 4:2)
Salvation is ‘Soteria’ = the redeeming work of God (an ongoing work). Only a person that is justified/pardoned/vindicated can continue to experience the redeeming work of the Spirit of God. Know that, confession is not repentance.
So, repentance must take place within the heart first before one could confess with the mouth. And without a change of heart or the nudging of the Spirit of God, it isn’t possible. But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart”; that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:8,9) – the word of faith near you, in your mouth, in your heart, is that grace knocking – Jesus said, behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door (of the heart), then I will come into him (Rev 3:20).
A thirsty fellow would definitely drink the water of life that’s been offered to – John 4:13,14 – They that be whole need, not a physician, but they that are sick (Matthew 9:12) – them that are content with life, the wise men after the flesh, the mighty, and the noble, wouldn’t reach for life – 1Cor 1:26 – they wouldn’t get the chance – but the foolish things of the world and things which are despised, get to receive from God’s mercy His pardon – 1Cor 1:26-28. Jesus said, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32) – This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles (Psalm 34:6).
If sin isn’t bothering/weighing down upon a soul; in other words, if the soul isn’t feeling the burden of sin heavily laden on him, if the sin isn’t crushing him, which are the inevitable signs of God’s Spirit moving upon that soul to lead that person to Christ, the source of all life; then there is little hope for that being.
This life that all creation longs for is in His Son (1 John 5:11,12) – but the soul must respond, the grace of God will enable the soul to respond to the call of God. On their own can these bones live? (Ezekiel 37:3) – God says, Behold, I will cause breath (ruwach) to enter into you, and ye shall live (Ezekiel 37:5) – I will put my spirit within you, and CAUSE YOU to walk (Ezekiel 36:27). How do we get this faith operating in us? To them that have OBTAINED like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1) – as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3).
Even the faith to jumpstart our life in Christ is a gift from God. What I am trying to say is that Jesus is “the author“ (originator) of our faith, and not us – Heb 12:2 – it is then proper to say that, he which hath begun a good work in us – Phil 1:6 – For it is God which works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure – Phil 2:13. Christ living inside of us makes us do things that are pleasing in His sight. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities (weakness), that the power of Christ may rest upon me – 2 Cor 12:9. Christ in us is the hope of glory – Col 1:27 – nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me – Gal 2:20. Where is the boasting?
We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. “No man can come to me,” said our Lord, “except the Father which hath sent me draw him,” and it is by this drawing that God takes from us every vestige of credit for the act of coming. A.W. Tozer
So, repentance should arise from within yourself – your conscience must prick – the participation of the conscience is vital. And if their mind and conscience are defiled (Titus 1:15), how could one expect that soul to respond to life unless one is drawn to Christ by the Father – John 6:44 – and his heart gets sprinkled from an evil conscience? (Hebrews 9:14/10:22)
The question now would be, can a soul just repent on its own? The answer is No, why? Because there is no soundness in him, he is lost, he is in a spiritually dead state that it would require his spirit to do anything that is godly and righteous; and since the spirit is dead, he or she is unproductive by nature, a branch of a wild olive tree, to be precise – Rom 11:17,24. The flowers of such trees are sterile. When the incorruptible seed (spora – parentage) of the Word – 1Pet 1:23/John 3:6 – is let in or enters the heart of man, that individual has come in contact with life itself. Then and then only can this soul gain any strength to do the things that are pleasing to God.
The spirit of man must experience regeneration, without which the will of man is impuissant. We were alienated and enemies in our minds by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight – Col 1:21, 22 – do you wish to claim any part in that reconciliation process?
We were sometimes darkness, but now are we light in the Lord – Eph 5:8 – we were without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world – Eph 2:12. Despise not the GOODNESS of God – Rom 2:4/11:22 – Therefore, be not high-minded, but fear (Romans 11:20). Wherefore let him that thinks he stands (take it for granted) take heed lest he falls (1 Corinthians 10:12) – as Israel did.
We must first be saved from the power of sin that God condemned in the body of Jesus Christ, then the conscience of sin gets purged – Heb 9:14/10:2. Jesus said, Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest – Matt 11:28 – he didn’t say, repent, did he?
Absence of conviction – what does it convey? It says we cannot save ourselves or be right with God without external assistance. Doesn’t God know about our miserable state? Yes, He does. That is why it is written, God so loved! Why did He send the Word of God – the Lord from heaven – the Prince of Life to the earth, otherwise? What did he bring with him? GRACE and TRUTH came by Jesus Christ – John 1:17 – What else? He is the propitiation for our sins – 1John 2:2/4:10 – He is that ransom for us – Mark 10:45/Hosea 13:14.
If only repentance is what God expects from us all, then why would God sent His Son to be a propitiation? Where is the logic?
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you (1 Peter 1:10)
The Bible says the goodness of God leads us to repentance. The goodness of God! Were we at peace with God at all for God to extend His goodness to us? No! We were all in a condemned state, weren’t we? Don’t you forget that! Being justified by faith, (now) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Only by grace can we enter – Only by grace can we stand – Not by our human endeavor – But by the blood of the Lamb – Lord if You mark our transgressions, Who would stand
Thanks to Your grace we are cleansed – By the blood of the Lamb – Graham Kendrick
The Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Jesus Christ – the Spirit of holiness – Rom 1:4/8:2/1Pet 1:11/Phil 1:19) must convict a person, the Father must draw a person to Christ – John 6:44 – for that conviction of sin to take place.
That is why it is being said that we are in the dispensation of grace – Eph 3:2. Once this door is shut, then no soul will get to experience such grace. Without the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, our minds and conscience are in a defiled state – Titus 1:15 – For it is God which works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure – Phil 2:13 – where is the boasting then? To will is present with me; yes, I too acknowledge, but the Bible says, how to perform that which is good I find not (in me)(Romans 7:18) – even our ‘will’ to do good is decrepit and black with soot.
Then where can we find this ‘free will’ that many boasts of? I couldn’t boast in anything regarding my salvation. For this I know, I was lost, but now am found. I was blind (spiritually), now I see. Did we find him, the source of all life or he found us? By grace are ye saved; and that not of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast – Eph 2:8,9 – Jesus said, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you (John 15:16).
See what the grace of God does to a soul? Could we call this “predestination”? Can we now claim that we are “the chosen” of God? The “elect” of God? Isn’t this the proper way than boasting about our free will, which is not a reality? This makes it clear that we cannot please God on our own – for all have sinned and have come short – there is none righteous, no not one. The whole Scripture upholds this view. Would Abraham (a heathen – the son of an idol maker) had come to know YHWH if God had not visited him? No
If our “free will” was intact, then why did Israel failed? We read about Esau, 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 12:17). That is the reason why Christ went and preached even unto the spirits in prison (the dead), which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah (1 Peter 3:19,20).
The Council of Trent declared that “the free will of man, moved and excited by God, can by its consent co-operate with God, Who excites and invites its action; and that it can thereby dispose and prepare itself to obtain the grace of justification.
Why is such a priceless redemption required? Why did God choose Moses to redeem Israel from the hand of the Pharaoh? Weren’t we under the power of darkness? Col 1:13 Weren’t we also through fear of death all our lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:15). What’s the point behind the Lord from heaven entering into the house of the strong man (the Devil) bind him, spoil his goods and spoil his house – Matt 12:29/Col 2:15 – if our repentance would satisfy demands?
What was the assignment that God gave to Paul? To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance (Acts 26:18) – that’s the way to go! How can the blind see, unless their sight is fully restored first? Mark 8:24,25
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith (not through repentance), preached before the gospel unto Abraham (Gal 3:8). Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, unto whom God IMPUTES righteousness without works – Rom 4:6.
The visitation of God or His favour would result in our change of heart – Jesus said, the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life – John 6:63 – what happens when the seed falls into the good ground naturally – if it is hard on the surface, the birds would pick it and are lost but if the ground is plowed and PREPARED – the seed will fall into the crevasses and will be hidden from harm’s way and when the rain of the Holy Ghost douses that grain of seed, what happens? It sprouts naturally, right? That’s what happens to a dead soul too. The heart must be prepared by the Holy Ghost, the heart must be made receptive by the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God) – unless God commands, ‘Let there be light’ the heart of man will be without form and void, being covered by darkness (Choshek – misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness).
That is why it is written, the times of this IGNORANCE God winked at (Acts 17:30) – but now commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30) – why? Because “the grace of God” is come. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us (Luke 1:78), for what purpose? To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79). The darkness is past (the times of ignorance is past – the sin is condemned – Rom 8:1-3 – and shall not have dominion – Rom 6:14 – the prince of this world is judged – John 16:11 – in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air – Eph 2:2), and the true light now shines (1 John 2:8) – a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19).
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Remember, before God commanded, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters which had kept the formless earth buried. God spoke, and the light now shines, where? In the dark recesses of our hearts. This you may call “GRACE” – which is now made available to all. God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). We were hopeless, that’s what it means. These dead bones couldn’t live, but the Spirit of God caused them to come to life. Receiving this “FREE GIFT” – Rom 5:15,16,18 – is only what one needs to do. God says repentance shall be hidden from mine eyes (Hosea 13:14). This does not mean at all that one wouldn’t be convicted (pricked in their heart – Acts 2:37). When the Comforter comes, Jesus said, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8) – why would He reprove the world of sin? Let’s hear from our Lord Himself – Because they (Israel) believe not on me (John 16:9).
Being justified freely by his grace (Romans 3:24/Titus 3:7). If on the contrary, Christ becomes of no effect unto you (Galatians 5:4). Or despise thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4) Our former state was: after the hardness and impenitent heart treasured up unto ourselves wrath (Romans 2:5). By the offense of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation (Romans 5:18). There was no hope for us, period.
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (Acts 15:14)–they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (Acts 14:27) – Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life (Acts 11:18)
Ezekiel 34 clearly states about the lost sheep of Israel, which are scattered around the globe and that got killed thereby. Christians must understand that the nation of Israel is that Olive tree into which we were grafted in; and mind you, only SOME of the branches were broken off – Rom 11:17 – KJV.
Know this also, Jesus had come for the lost sheep of the house of Israel – He said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel – Matt 15: 24. Redeeming Jacob from his transgression was what the Father sent him to accomplish – Heb 9:15.
Do you remember the parable of a certain man who planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen and went into a far country for a long time? Let’s brief through it a bit – Luke 20:9-16 – they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him – they killed the Prince of life – Acts 3:15 – even after the resurrection of Christ, the Spirit of God sent the Apostles to them – but what did they say? Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles – Acts 13:46 – they even rejected the word of God, so the Apostles turn to the Gentiles. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36).
Those who have read the book of Ezekiel knows the spiritual condition of Israel, and how low they have stooped into such a despicable state. Unless you know these truths, you cannot understand the gospels clearly and you are bound to take the verses out of their context and use them for the church.
God says because the shepherds failed to feed the sheep and are now scattered – Ezekiel 34 – For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out (Ezekiel 34:11). I will seek that which was lost (Ezekiel 34:16). As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep (Ezekiel 34:12).
Who is that good shepherd? Jesus said I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep – John 10:11. This isn’t specifically talking about us Gentiles, though he’s mentioned about sheep’s, which are not of this fold that he must bring in – John 10:16 – God says, I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23)
Even though Israel forsook the Lord God, and went whoring after strange gods and did abominable things, they (the remnant of Israel) are still beloved for the Father’s sake – Rom 11:28 – they, the house of Israel, are my people, my flock, the flock of my pasture, saith the Lord God (Ezekiel 34: 30,31). God says For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee – Isaiah 54:7. He shall feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country and in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 34:13,14)
I say unto you, that likewise, joy shall be in heaven over one sinner (the lost sheep of the house of Israel) that repents* (for grace is now come – is made available – Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently – 1 Peter 1:10), *more than over ninety and nine just persons (the Gentile believer), which need no repentance (Luke 15:7) – to Israel, it was preached “repentance’ – the baptism of repentance – Mark 1:4/Acts 13:24/ 19:4 – but it isn’t a New Testament prerogative. And as the testator was yet alive the New Testament was not yet in force – Heb 9:16,17.
I come again, Israel knew their God. But they went whoring after other gods and did abominable things in the sight of God. They denied the Holy One and the Just – Acts 3:14,15 – even they refused Moses’s words, which said, The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him, ye shall hearken – Deut 18:15 – they not only have forsaken the fountain of living waters but also hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water – Jeremiah 2:13 – like fathers, like sons: their fathers we rebellious, weren’t they? – To whom (Moses) our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt – Acts 7:39 – read Ezekiel to know how their children behaved.
They are worse than their fathers. So God scattered them to the whole world that they are hunted down and killed – they are in that lost state – but as Paul said, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he makes intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and dug down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace – Rom 11:1-5
What I mean to say is that the casting away of Israel had led to the reconciling of the world – Rom 11:15. So Israel was required to repent, as they were still under the Old Testament; but now as Jesus had founded the New Testament in His blood – there is now no demarcation as before.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believes on him (gift of God) shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall CALL UPON the name of the Lord shall be saved – Rom 10:11-13.