Why you have NOT repented and false condemnation

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
E

ember

Guest
#1
So, have you been cornered and told you need to repent? Has someone waved a big scary Family Edition Sized, gold leaf bound, ink on vellum leather bound Bible in your face or possibly hit you over the head with it?

Has someone told you that you are going to hell unless you repent even though you do believe that Christ died for you?

Have you done your Jim dandy bestest to repent and still find your feet dragging up to the altar every time the call goes out for repentance?

Do you promise yourself you will not commit that sin again or possibly just stop sinning altogether every time you get yelled at in church by an itinerant Evangelist or Mrs. Clout prays for 45 minutes at the Wednesday night prayer meeting and you fall asleep and fall off your chair and she points at you as you wake up and shrills 'there! that is what I am talking about?'

well, the reason you keep flailing and failing is a lack of understanding of what repent actually means and what the event actually entails

Many understand the term repentance (from the Greek word metanoia) to mean “turning from sin.” This is not the biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19). Acts 26:20 declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action. (source)



 
P

psalm6819

Guest
#2
The works crowd won't be able to accept this cuz it leaves them nothng to perform.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,211
2,547
113
#3
True repentance in my opinion is a state of heart and mind, if we have our chains broken only to put them back on and worry about every screw up every mistake every sin what good does this do? But the freedom grace gives to be free from those very heavy chains that I know very well makes ones spirit soar
 
Mar 15, 2016
48
0
0
58
#4
I don't have any of those problems; I am not a sinner, but thanks for asking.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#5
The works crowd won't be able to accept this cuz it leaves them nothng to perform.

Maybe that is because they have yet to "repent"
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#6
Amen..finally a sane thread that will inspire people to walk in Christ and to get off the hamster wheel of performance-driven Christianity and to start walking in the grace of Christ wholly dependent on Him alone for life and direction.

Colossians 2:6-8 (NASB)

[SUP]6 [/SUP] Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

[SUP]7 [/SUP] having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

[SUP]8 [/SUP] See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
 
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
689
113
#8
The works crowd won't be able to accept this cuz it leaves them nothng to perform.
I don't understand. The anti-works crowd sees to really have a problem with this said in the OP.

“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”
 
E

ember

Guest
#9
If repentance according to scripture, is about changing one's mind...even God repented on occasion so we KNOW it cannot mean turning from sin per se as is bandied about today...then how do we do that?

Hey yah!!

IT'S A PROCESS.....we renew our mind through the word of God. We can say that is the Bible...it is! We can say that is our Savior...JESUS...and that is so

We have the Holy Spirit..God listens any time a person turns their heart to Him...he WILL answer the true prayer of repentance ... that is one prayer God will answer with a resounding YES every single time!

stop kicking yourself in the ...nether regions...you really want a heart of flesh and a mind renewed by the WORD and to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him to live the life only the life of God IN us can achieve

This constant banging and clanging about sin and hell is NOT a message from the kingdom of God for this moment in this world

Listen...God is grieved...oh you betcha He is...to Him, sending His only Son to die on our behalf is still as new and fresh as the hour it happened

you accepted Christ? then accept the rest of what God offers...you cannot, repeat, cannot, live the life God asks us to live without His Spirit empowering us to do so
 
E

ember

Guest
#10
I don't understand. The anti-works crowd sees to really have a problem with this said in the OP.

“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

do not turn this into a works vs grace thread....do not do that...you have had your say all over this forum for about a year now...do not turn this thread into another topic for debate
 

JennaLeanne

Senior Member
Dec 26, 2015
411
37
28
#11
Absolutely love this thread. The simple truth. So refreshing.. xx
 
E

ember

Guest
#12
so many people need to read this ---- even ME
yes...my heart is just really needing for people to turn to God and stop the arguing

we need each other...I so hope this thread can discuss what repentance really is...I pray that we can do that

can we PLEASE just ignore anyone who comes in and wants to discuss works/grace or deliberately tries to argue?

it would be so utterly amazing and adult if we could just do that and maybe some hearts would be opened up to what God is really saying
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#13
It is interesting that in the 2 word for word descriptions of Peter and Paul preaching the gospel in acts 10 and 13 that not once is the word "repentance" used...any yet the people repented when they heard about Jesus and His complete forgiveness of sins. I found this so interesting in light of our modern day evangelical religious traditions. I wrote about this..I'll see if I can go find it...:)
 
Sep 6, 2014
7,034
5,435
113
#14
2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
 

JennaLeanne

Senior Member
Dec 26, 2015
411
37
28
#15
yes...my heart is just really needing for people to turn to God and stop the arguing

we need each other...I so hope this thread can discuss what repentance really is...I pray that we can do that

can we PLEASE just ignore anyone who comes in and wants to discuss works/grace or deliberately tries to argue?

it would be so utterly amazing and adult if we could just do that and maybe some hearts would be opened up to what God is really saying
Yesssss, I was just about to say the same thing, Completely disregard any comment that opposes the truth you have written here.. and all God's people said............
 
E

ember

Guest
#16
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]If we are always repenting in the sense of today's modern diatribes and confess/repent circles of holiness, then when are we actually saved? Are we ever saved? How on earth are we expected to live when we cannot stop feeling guilty and condemned?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]But who is condemning us? If Jesus did not even condemn the woman caught in adultery, what was His purpose in basically condemning everyone else by saying the person without sin should throw the first stone?

[/FONT]Did Jesus have something else in mind? Perhaps He knew the woman realized she was already under a death sentence...but should she be killed by people as guilty as her?

What did Jesus mean when He told her to go and sin no more? Did He expect her to be perfect? The religious leaders were not perfect yet they were ready to stone her...so, He obviously did not think she was going to suddenly with sin.


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]What, then, is the connection between repentance and salvation? The Book of Acts seems to especially focus on repentance in regards to salvation ([/FONT]Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent, in relation to salvation, is to change your mind in regard to Jesus Christ. In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), he concludes with a call for the people to repent (Acts 2:38). Repent from what? Peter is calling the people who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their minds about Him, to recognize that He is indeed “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Peter is calling the people to change their minds from rejection of Christ as the Messiah to faith in Him as both Messiah and Savior. (source)
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#17
Let's look at it through what scripture has to say about repentance ( changing our mind - the way we think ) concerning preaching the gospel. I know we have been taught differently through our religious upbringing and beliefs handed down to us. Let's let God's word speak life to us.

Peter preached the gospel of the grace of Christ. to Cornelius ..no word used for repentence was said

Acts 10:43-44 (NASB)
[SUP]43 [/SUP] "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."

[SUP]44 [/SUP] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

They were not told to "repent" here.

I love how the Holy Spirit "falls upon " them as soon as they hear about the forgiveness of sins proclaimed to them because of Christ!

Peter got in trouble with the Jewish Christians when he went back because he went into a gentile's house and preached the gospel to them...he says in Acts 11:17,18

Acts 11:17-18 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?"

[SUP]18 [/SUP] When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."

What was there repentance even tho the word "repent" was not used?...they changed their mind toward God and had faith in Jesus and in His complete forgiveness of sins. This is the gospel message.

Notice thatit was God that granted them repentance.

New Covenant repentance is not something we conjure up on our own nor is it a work we produce.

2 Tim 2:24-25 says that God may grant them repentance so that they may know the truth. God grants the repentance..not a work we do on our own.


Paul preached the gospel of grace here in the only recorded time in scripture.

Acts 13:38-39 (NASB)
[SUP]38 [/SUP] "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,

[SUP]39 [/SUP] and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

Again ..no telling them to "repent" was voiced here either by Paul...but Paul did tell them .." urged them to continue in the grace of God"

Both of the examples we have of New Covenant preaching about the gospel of grace had NO words of telling people to repent.

These clearly show that "repentance " was not told to them.



So, repentance does not mean "turn from sin '..it means change your mind ( change your way of thinking and rely on God only for things dealing with your life) and turn to God and believe in Jesus and what He has already done.

There is a change after we come to Christ and His life in us transforms us. This is where we see the "fruit" of repentance. Fruit is not the "root" of repentance.

Fruit of an exchanged life comes after we have "repented " - changed our thinking to rely on Christ's work only for salvation.

We all need to repent every day as we hear the beauty of our Lord proclaimed!

Brethern ...I urge you to believe in the awesome greatness and splendor of our Lord's magnificent finished work on our behalf!
 
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
689
113
#18
do not turn this into a works vs grace thread....do not do that...you have had your say all over this forum for about a year now...do not turn this thread into another topic for debate
You're joking, right? Three people before me turned it into works/grace, I asked for clarification, and you call me out? Too funny.
 
E

ember

Guest
#19
Yesssss, I was just about to say the same thing, Completely disregard any comment that opposes the truth you have written here.. and all God's people said............
thank you Jenna

people want God...so sad that other people keep people from Him...sounds just like the NT, eh?

oh...amen...all God's people said AMEN :eek:
 
P

PurerInHeart

Guest
#20
So, have you been cornered and told you need to repent? Has someone waved a big scary Family Edition Sized, gold leaf bound, ink on vellum leather bound Bible in your face or possibly hit you over the head with it?

Has someone told you that you are going to hell unless you repent even though you do believe that Christ died for you?

Have you done your Jim dandy bestest to repent and still find your feet dragging up to the altar every time the call goes out for repentance?

Do you promise yourself you will not commit that sin again or possibly just stop sinning altogether every time you get yelled at in church by an itinerant Evangelist or Mrs. Clout prays for 45 minutes at the Wednesday night prayer meeting and you fall asleep and fall off your chair and she points at you as you wake up and shrills 'there! that is what I am talking about?'

well, the reason you keep flailing and failing is a lack of understanding of what repent actually means and what the event actually entails

Many understand the term repentance (from the Greek word metanoia) to mean “turning from sin.” This is not the biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19). Acts 26:20 declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action. (source)



To turn from sin and to change your mind mean the same thing. Because sin starts in your mind, it's a decision. "He who KNOWS the good he ought to do, and CHOOSES not to do it, sins." In Romans 8 it talks about this. He who has his mind on the flesh does what the flesh desires, he who has his mind on the spirit does what the spirit desires. We are all tempted by sensual desires, so we have to change our mind from that and focus our mind on what the Spirit desires, so that we can turn away from sin.