REPENT: 6 What Repentance Isn't
Matthew 4:17 (ESV) From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Sin Impacts Access To The Kingdom Of Heaven
Matthew 4:17 (ESV) From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Genesis 3:24 (ESV) He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Isaiah 59:1–3 (ESV) Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness.
Sin Is A Transaction.
Romans 6:23 (ESV) For the wages of sin is death…
Repentance Is A Transaction.
1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It redirects payment so that it can still be met
SIDE NOTE: Biblical repentance gives access.
Your version of repentance does not.
Your self-made version of repentance
does not remove our sin
does not clear the obstacles
does not give access
SIDE NOTE: Biblical forgiveness clears the offense
Your version of forgiveness does not.
Your self-made version of forgiveness
does not remove the offense
does not clear the obstacles between parties
does not give access/reconcilliation
Repentance ISN’T An Emotional Transaction
Don’t be fooled by emotions and feelings. They can lead you to believe that something is happening that isn’t.
Feeling Regret - Matthew 27:3–5 (ESV) Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
For Being Caught - while it’s hard to identify, people usually feel bad for getting caught, not for what they’ve done.
Feeling Sorrow - 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Repentance ISN’T A Verbal Transaction
Repentance will unlock barriers. Words will bounce off.
Admission of sin does not remove it. Catholic teaching that confession allows absolution is not Biblical.
Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses AND renounces them finds mercy.
“I AM SORRY” is a statement of feeling but does nothing to deal with the barrier.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Illus: young man who wanted to meet with me to apologize but only had a few minutes. “I don’t want to feel this way, I want to make it right”
Repentance ISN’T A Behavioral Transaction
Doing better, a change in behavior, does not deal with past infraction/injury.
Pennance actions, present suffering cannot remove past obstacles. It is a form of
Self inflicted punishment
Virtue signaling
Ascetic behavior does not remove obstacles
Colossians 2:21–23 (ESV) “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Matthew 23:25–26 (ESV) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
Repentance Restores Access To The Kingdom Of Heaven
Acts 3:19–20 (ESV) Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…
1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
