stovebolts
Member
I believe most people would agree. When I look at John the Baptist, why do you think they ask him what to do? And what are the fruits of repentance?
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Repentance, what do you think it is?
- Thread starter stovebolts
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Hospes
Member
The NT word is a compound word indicating changed thinking. In our vernacular, it would accurately be called a "change of heart". Given this, I believe the fruit of repentance is the change in behavior that results from a true change in thinking/heart. It is easy to mistake a change in behavior, in and of itself, as repentance. God desires a heart-change and any true heart-change will necessarily result in a behavior change.
stovebolts What a FABULOUS question, and topic !!!
What a beautiful gift from our God, who allows us a way of "FORGIVENESS" and setting us free from the BONDAGE of some on-going sin. Only God would have the GRACE and MERCY to create something like this out of His love for us.
For me, the action of repentance begins with GOD, through the Holy Spirit bringing CONVICTION to the heart of a believer, for an on-going sin.
This is where being honest about one's sin and the act of "humility" come into play, as the one sinning, has to look in the mirror of their own heart, and be willing to be honest with themselves first, and then God, and if there is someone else involved that was sinned against, things have to be set right with them too, through an apology and promise it will never happen again.
This is like the "FORK IN THE ROAD" of our faith, and we must decide the direction that our lives will take.
We all have a sin that "EASILY BESETS US, OR ENTANGLES US, " Hebrews 12:1, that we are so easily drawn to, and can be destroyed by, by satan himself, or by our own choice, to be especially careful of, and any other sin we could find TEMPTING.
The GREEK word metanoeo is usually the word used in context, meaning because of a contrite and remorseful heart, the sinner begins to ABHOR their errors and mis-deeds, because of an outright and on-going choice to sin against GOD, the person feels an overwhelming conviction of sin, and a heart felt desire to make things right with God, and regain the peace and joy they once had, and reclaim that road to salvation they were in the process of giving up.
Lastly, the word repentance , for what I could find in my studies means to TURN from our sins that we're choosing on purpose, and have to own that sin, in order to confront our sin dead-on, with remorse in our hearts, and an abhorance that we could do such a thing, and to TURN back to GOD with a broken spirit, and a commitment to God, that with His help through the Holy Spirit, this will only be a part of our past, not our future.
The Greek language is so much more expansive and inclusive, in it's wide approach to word meanings, especially in it's approach to depth and completeness. Light years ahead of anything in English.
God bless you for this topic stovebolts
My name is OLIGOS
What a beautiful gift from our God, who allows us a way of "FORGIVENESS" and setting us free from the BONDAGE of some on-going sin. Only God would have the GRACE and MERCY to create something like this out of His love for us.
For me, the action of repentance begins with GOD, through the Holy Spirit bringing CONVICTION to the heart of a believer, for an on-going sin.
This is where being honest about one's sin and the act of "humility" come into play, as the one sinning, has to look in the mirror of their own heart, and be willing to be honest with themselves first, and then God, and if there is someone else involved that was sinned against, things have to be set right with them too, through an apology and promise it will never happen again.
This is like the "FORK IN THE ROAD" of our faith, and we must decide the direction that our lives will take.
We all have a sin that "EASILY BESETS US, OR ENTANGLES US, " Hebrews 12:1, that we are so easily drawn to, and can be destroyed by, by satan himself, or by our own choice, to be especially careful of, and any other sin we could find TEMPTING.
The GREEK word metanoeo is usually the word used in context, meaning because of a contrite and remorseful heart, the sinner begins to ABHOR their errors and mis-deeds, because of an outright and on-going choice to sin against GOD, the person feels an overwhelming conviction of sin, and a heart felt desire to make things right with God, and regain the peace and joy they once had, and reclaim that road to salvation they were in the process of giving up.
Lastly, the word repentance , for what I could find in my studies means to TURN from our sins that we're choosing on purpose, and have to own that sin, in order to confront our sin dead-on, with remorse in our hearts, and an abhorance that we could do such a thing, and to TURN back to GOD with a broken spirit, and a commitment to God, that with His help through the Holy Spirit, this will only be a part of our past, not our future.
The Greek language is so much more expansive and inclusive, in it's wide approach to word meanings, especially in it's approach to depth and completeness. Light years ahead of anything in English.
God bless you for this topic stovebolts
My name is OLIGOS
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Edward
2024 Supporter
I believe it's more than that Brother. Repentance involves a turning away from the sins.
And I dunno about point me in the right direction Lord...Like He is supposed to make you sin less or something?
No Brother. WE are to flee from the devil. We are to be overcomers of our sin and flesh. This is not something to give up on and think everything will magically change one day. It takes our effort and cooperation.
And asking for forgiveness, then repenting. And when we stumble, He will strengthen us. The Lord promise's in scripture to not put more on us than we can bear. He will always provide an escape for us. It usually involves praying to Him!
I think John's initial commands were the major point, and his answers to the people-soldiers were the "fine print".
Specifically tailored actions not applicable to others.
The fruits were manifestations of loving God above all else and their neighbors as they loved themselves.
stovebolts
Member
Absolutely. Like a child has the desire to please his parents, we too should have that inner desire that naturally wants to please God. When we hear what pleased God, we should have the faith to go do it and not allow fear to shut our actions down. It's a matter of being blinded by trust.
A change of heart to do right and reject wrong. To feel regretful for past wrong doing and a pledge of a good conscience towards God. To humble oneself before God in this.
I always think of Zacchaeus as a good example of true salvation - He showed a change of heart.
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
God can see the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart in our spirit. He knows those who believe in Him and love Him. He knows our attitude.
Two asked something of Jesus when He was on the cross only one received a answer.
Hospes
Member
Here's an interesting passage regarding repentance:
2 Timothy 2:22–26 (ESV)
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
That second sentence would lead me at times to have nothing to write about!
The last sentence seems to indicate repentance is a gift from God.
2 Timothy 2:22–26 (ESV)
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
That second sentence would lead me at times to have nothing to write about!
The last sentence seems to indicate repentance is a gift from God.
stovebolts
Member
Both are great examples because both took actions producing fruits of their repentance.
Everything else you said, I believe, is spot on and we'll articulated. Thank you!
Fastfredy0
2024 Supporter
Repentance entails a radical and conscious change of view (the intellect), change of feeling (the emotions), and change of purpose (the volition) with respect to God, ourselves, sin, and righteousness.
What does the Bible teach about the relationship between salvation and repentance? First, it teaches that repentance is essential to salvation. One cannot truly believe unless he repents, and one cannot truly repent unless he believes. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin (but they are not synonymous terms). Acts 11:18 and 2 Peter 3:9 are two of the many verses that teach that repentance is necessary for salvation. Perhaps 2 Timothy 2:25 best sums up the relationship between repentance and saving faith when it speaks of "repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (see also Acts 20:21).
Second, the Greek word for repentance (metanoia) means "to have another mind," but it cannot properly be defined to exclude a sense of hatred of and penitence for sin. The biblical concept of repentance involves far more than merely a casual change of thinking. Biblically, a person who repents does not continue willfully in sin. Repentance is a turning from sin, and it always results in changed behavior (Luke 3:8). While sorrow from sin is not equivalent to repentance, it is certainly an element of scriptural repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Finally, despite what is being widely taught today, affirming that repentance and acknowledgement of Jesus' lordship are necessary to salvation does not "add" anything to the requirement of faith for salvation. It is not "faith plus repentance" that saves, but rather a repentant faith. The notion that salvation is possible apart from a genuine, heartfelt repentance, which includes a deep hatred of sin, is a relatively new one, neither believed nor taught by the people of God until the twentieth century.
What does the Bible teach about the relationship between salvation and repentance? First, it teaches that repentance is essential to salvation. One cannot truly believe unless he repents, and one cannot truly repent unless he believes. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin (but they are not synonymous terms). Acts 11:18 and 2 Peter 3:9 are two of the many verses that teach that repentance is necessary for salvation. Perhaps 2 Timothy 2:25 best sums up the relationship between repentance and saving faith when it speaks of "repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (see also Acts 20:21).
Second, the Greek word for repentance (metanoia) means "to have another mind," but it cannot properly be defined to exclude a sense of hatred of and penitence for sin. The biblical concept of repentance involves far more than merely a casual change of thinking. Biblically, a person who repents does not continue willfully in sin. Repentance is a turning from sin, and it always results in changed behavior (Luke 3:8). While sorrow from sin is not equivalent to repentance, it is certainly an element of scriptural repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Finally, despite what is being widely taught today, affirming that repentance and acknowledgement of Jesus' lordship are necessary to salvation does not "add" anything to the requirement of faith for salvation. It is not "faith plus repentance" that saves, but rather a repentant faith. The notion that salvation is possible apart from a genuine, heartfelt repentance, which includes a deep hatred of sin, is a relatively new one, neither believed nor taught by the people of God until the twentieth century.