I have a simple question for you who think repentance is simply a turning from sin. VVhen you pray to the Lord and tell Him, "Lord I'm sorry for what I've done. I won't do it again, ever. I am so so sorry." are you capable of fulfilling this promise? This oath? Or is it empty? How often have you repented of a particular sin but you continue to repeat it again and again? So then, tell me, what good does your form of repentance serve you when you're still stuck in the same sin over and over again? VVhere is the power in this repentance? VVhat good are the tears, sulking, and show when you are incapable in your flesh to fulfill this promise to God?
That is the way I see your repentance. People have been attacking hyper-grace and saying that its a license to sin (which is false) and also disagreeing with its presentation of repentance ("a change of mind"). Yet, my question is, what good is your repentance? Hasn't history shown the fruit of the traditional concept of repentance? It is void of confidence before the Lord, assurance in salvation, and the love of God (and the grace of God). In some ways it actually completely ignores what Jesus accomplished at the cross. Confession of sin for the sake of forgiveness? Has Christ died in vain? Did not His shed blood give you the remission of your sins?
There is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to repentance. It is tainted with religion and self righteousness. It tries to acknowledge Jesus, but treats His blood as if common. Incapable of doing that which God set out to do. Granting us forgiveness, taking our sins away and justifying us before God. Jesus being able as our High Priest to save us completely. All of this is tossed aside for a concept of repentance that deals with sin confession as if it maintains salvation. That is where people should truly repent. Change your mind about sin confession for forgiveness because it misses the mark that is Christ Jesus on that cross paying for your sins. You are forgiven, it is not something you seek. It is found in Christ.
This could go on for another couple paragraphs to define repentance, but I will keep it short. Repentance happens daily, it is through mind renewal. It is, after all, a change of mind. It is coming into agreement with God (yes, even about your sins) and then coming into the reality that Jesus has set you free from sin because you're a new creation. Also too, under grace sin's dominion is broken. So the accusation of licentiousness (license to sin) is unfounded because people are explicitly stating that we are set free from it and are dead to it. VVe don't ignore sin. VVe turn to God for His strength. VVe repent in that of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. In Him is victory found.
I have given this a while before answering your "simple question". In the first paragraph you put in four questions which are not simple, (with 7 ?)
You seem to be coming at this in quite a conflictual stance. You presume quite a bit within the first paragraph. You presume to know my understanding and you presume to know my relationship with Jesus. The evidence for this is itself quite evident as you presume "tears".
Your second paragraph is also contentious. You say that what we say hyper-grace is "a license to sin" , This is also not what I personally have said. Whenever I have been involved with the 'grace' conversations I have refuted the statement that """no matter what you do, you can never loose your salvation""". This is still not a true statement, and no matter what language (Greek Hebrew or Aramaic etc) if we accept Jesus as a child there are as many instances within scripture that pertain to 'watching', 'Being ready' and "keeping close those things we first heard" because satan prowls about to "devour" the unwary, as there are for keeping in Him and knowing the righteousness we have with Christ in the grace He gives us.
This is a balancing act, we cant be all fear because God is love and fear destroys, we cant be all grace because it can distort what sin does within us. This dose not put us in a place where we have a licence to sin as it is not a place where we cower in fear.
Scripture does say "the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom". This is a powerful statement and does not hold with being taken apart to make it say something else.
I will finish with "repentance", I am not going to mention your take on "how you see it" because you are not Christ and He is the only one I am bothered about and how He sees it is my only concern, saving to answer you as I have. If I sin and I do, (for if we say we can't or don't we are not of Christ and that point is fact,) I come and say "thank you".
I know He is changing me, I know I am a work in progress, I know I am on a journey to full maturity in Jesus, and as with all journeys there are places to refuel, punctures, and breakdowns. I also know I have the best recovery service blood can buy, and if I loose all and have to walk through the heat of the day I have with me the living fountain from which I can drink my fill at any time.
If you are having a bad time with those you feel are trying to get under your skin, or those you feel are having a go at you, pray for them, forgive them as I have forgiven you for presuming to know my thoughts and my relationship with Jesus. I only want the best for you and everyone else here on CC. We are all servants, to each has been given his own/our own talent. We are the virgins waiting for the bride groom to return, we are the householder watching, we are all in Him, His servants, and He has the right to do with any of us as He sees fit.
God bless you brother.
