well the verse in context is from Peter and it says
God does not wish for anyone to perish but that all would come to repentance.
So are you saying the believers will perish, if they do not repent (and believe). Since you say it is only applies to those who have been regenerated?
God does not wish for anyone to perish but that all would come to repentance.
So are you saying the believers will perish, if they do not repent (and believe). Since you say it is only applies to those who have been regenerated?
ForestGreenCook said, "God does not want all of mankind to come to repentance" Actually He does.
Scripture says: 2Pet_3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
While it is true, that this verse is talking about the ones that were chosen and have not yet come to know their Savior and this is the reason for the perception of slackness. In other words, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
There is a sense in which God does want everyone to come to repentance. On this we agree. But what is this sense?
The answer is in the Old Testament:
Eze 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
This is why God desires all to come to repentance. Because, God takes no pleasure in having to pour out His wrath. However, we know that His Holy Justice requires it, upon the wicked. Scripture goes on to teach, that there is nothing in the natural man, that desires to repent; so we do not want to confuse this kind of desire, on God's part, with God's eternal decree. He did not decree that all should come to repentance. If He had, all would and we know, all will not.
However, one cannot repent apart from the new birth (regeneration). When John the baptizer, said:
Mat 3:7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:
He proclaimed that genuine repentance, was not just simply saying you had repented but you would show the fruit of repentance. The now believer would also show change in their belief, speech, language and way of life. This does not mean, the tree will be loaded down with fruit but it will have some fruit on it.
The ability to show fruit, worthy of repentance, not only requires the new birth but it requires the gift of repentance.
2Ti_2:25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
This too only comes from God. The natural man cannot genuinely repent. This kind of repentance would not only be disingenuous but would bare no real fruit. Even among true believers, when they sin or stray from the path, they must be given repentance, in order that they turn back.