Repentance not difficult

[OzSpen]

On a non-debate forum, a person wrote of repentance, 'Anyone can change what they do and how they see the world around them.... It's not a difficult or complicated matter' (source #29)

My response is:

Moving from a secular, humanistic, sexually libertine, postmodern worldview to a godly worldview of the nature of human beings, salvation and the nature of God takes a supernatural intervention by God himself. Such repentance involves nothing that any human being can do. I know.

You try a human view of change from sexual promiscuity, cheating and thieving, drunkenness and drug addiction without God's help, and it's a massive leap that most people cannot make. I find that the view, 'it's not a difficult or complicated matter', is far from an accurate description of how difficult it can be for many.

Try convincing people of the reality of God and Scripture without God's intervention and you'll find it supremely difficult. I know. Human impotence and sinful thinking and actions are exposed in this world of sin and its multitude of variations.

This person said, 'It's not a difficult or complicated matter'. Try telling that to the person who has recently heard the Gospel and is being challenged by the skeptics, rationalists, atheists and agnostics. They'll be there to put all kinds of human barriers to belief and resistance to genuine repentance.

I'll add that growing up in my faith has been very difficult because of the many challenges to continue to live an ungodly lifestyle by the satanic enemy who is a constant enemy, using people around me and my own thinking - complicated by my previous life.

There would be no need for Paul to exhort the Ephesian church in this way if the Christian life was the easy-peasy existence this person said it was: 'Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes' (Eph 6:10-11 NIV).

Oz

 

[for_his_glory]

Repentance is a hearts decision that says I know I need Christ in my life, but how do I give up those desires of the world that bind me to the world. When we take the "I" out then it is Christ that will start the transformation as we lay it all at His feet. The steps are easy as only confess and believe, but the follow through of pure repentance can be a very difficult path to walk. We have faith to believe we can change with the help of Christ as we have heard the witness of others, especially those who have come out of what we are going through. It's an issue of trusting Jesus in all things as the process begins with repentance.

 

[iLOVE]

Now that we are saved, we are being saved (transformation), which is called sanctification.

 

[OzSpen]

Repentance is a hearts decision that says I know I need Christ in my life, but how do I give up those desires of the world that bind me to the world. When we take the "I" out then it is Christ that will start the transformation as we lay it all at His feet. The steps are easy as only confess and believe, but the follow through of pure repentance can be a very difficult path to walk. We have faith to believe we can change with the help of Christ as we have heard the witness of others, especially those who have come out of what we are going through. It's an issue of trusting Jesus in all things as the process begins with repentance.

I found this article to have some helpful elements, Is repentance necessary for salvation?

What I found especially useful was the understanding that repentance and faith are used together as two sides of the one coin of salvation.

 

[for_his_glory]

Oz, they do go hand in hand as you can't have one without the other. Jesus is our faith in whom we humble our self before him with a repentant heart as He is our advocate before the Father who forgives our sin.

 

[Malachi]

What I found especially useful was the understanding that repentance and faith are used together as two sides of the one coin of salvation.

That is correct, as Scripture confirms.

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. (Luke 19:8,9).

 

[Christ_empowered]

Repentance is difficult stuff. I agree that it requires divine intervention. Changing your thought patterns, behaviors...good, probably do-able w/o a miracle, but actual repentance has been a big deal for me, and I imagine its the same for other Christians, too.

Changing thoughts and behavior...that's like mental health territory. A true inner-transformation...that's God's territory. ((my take on it all))

 

[stovebolts]

On a non-debate forum, a person wrote of repentance, 'Anyone can change what they do and how they see the world around them.... It's not a difficult or complicated matter' (source #29)

My response is:

Moving from a secular, humanistic, sexually libertine, postmodern worldview to a godly worldview of the nature of human beings, salvation and the nature of God takes a supernatural intervention by God himself. Such repentance involves nothing that any human being can do. I know.

You try a human view of change from sexual promiscuity, cheating and thieving, drunkenness and drug addiction without God's help, and it's a massive leap that most people cannot make. I find that the view, 'it's not a difficult or complicated matter', is far from an accurate description of how difficult it can be for many.

Try convincing people of the reality of God and Scripture without God's intervention and you'll find it supremely difficult. I know. Human impotence and sinful thinking and actions are exposed in this world of sin and its multitude of variations.

This person said, 'It's not a difficult or complicated matter'. Try telling that to the person who has recently heard the Gospel and is being challenged by the skeptics, rationalists, atheists and agnostics. They'll be there to put all kinds of human barriers to belief and resistance to genuine repentance.

I'll add that growing up in my faith has been very difficult because of the many challenges to continue to live an ungodly lifestyle by the satanic enemy who is a constant enemy, using people around me and my own thinking - complicated by my previous life.

There would be no need for Paul to exhort the Ephesian church in this way if the Christian life was the easy-peasy existence this person said it was: 'Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes' (Eph 6:10-11 NIV).

Oz

My dear friend,
I will not invalidate your view... We are all on a journey and we simply are at different points of the path.
May you continue to grow in your faith and learn of Gods great grace as he transforms your life.

As to my background, I was a street rat who sold drugs in Hollywood when I was a teen. I've seen and know addicts who have lost their lives, including my brother, and my 21 year old daughter. I'm not new to this game and have experienced many things in my lifetime.

As I said, I will not invalidate your view. God is working in your life, and you will bear fruit. I respect where you are at knowing that God isn't finished revealing himself to either of us.

Grace and peace.

 

[stovebolts]

Repentance is difficult stuff. I agree that it requires divine intervention. Changing your thought patterns, behaviors...good, probably do-able w/o a miracle, but actual repentance has been a big deal for me, and I imagine its the same for other Christians, too.

Changing thoughts and behavior...that's like mental health territory. A true inner-transformation...that's God's territory. ((my take on it all))

Repentance is the easy stuff.... It's simply what we do.

What I have found in my own life, and I realize we all have different experiences, but what I have found is it's the faith part that's difficult.

If your a liar, it's easy to tell the truth. What's hard is believing (faith) that telling the truth is the better choice because we are afraid of the consequences. How does one convince himself that getting caught for something bad is better than keeping it hidden? It defies human reasoning... That basic risk and reward thingy.

It's about faith... That's the tough stuff. Do we believe Gods got our back, even when we don't like the road we see ahead of us. Perhaps if we could see a bit further down that road, we would have a little more assurance.

Jesus said he would never leave or forsake us, and I don't care how many times I've disappointed him.... He remains faithful, and that gives me assurance and builds my faith.