Repentance is a one time act of which has continual benefits, that being that once you are His, He is faithful to complete the work He started.
Well let's test this statement against to Word of God:
Luke 17v3
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you,[SUP]
[a][/SUP]
rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. [SUP]4 [/SUP]And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you,[SUP]
[b][/SUP]
saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
- repentance, as you can see, is not just a single one time event. Here above is an example of repentance multiple times a day.
Acts 8v13,20-23
[SUP]13 [/SUP]Then Simon (the sorcerer) himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! [SUP]21 [/SUP]You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. [SUP]22 [/SUP]Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. [SUP]23 [/SUP]For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
- Simon the sorcerer had to repent after he believed and was baptised. He had to repent of iniquity.
2 Corinthians 7
[SUP]8 [/SUP]For even if I made you sorry with my letter, <the first letter to the Corinthian church> I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. [SUP]9 [/SUP]Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. [SUP]10 [/SUP]For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
- here is a clear cut example of repentance (of iniquity, which you can read about in the first Corinthian letter)
- written to the church of Corinth (believers)
- who are required to repent (so not a one time event, like you allude to)
- and this repentance from iniquity leads to salvation
Revelation 2
[SUP]5 [/SUP]Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
- From Jesus to the church in Ephesus
- Repentance, as you can see from the above, is not a once and forever point in time. He calls them once again to repent.
Revelation 3
[SUP]2 [/SUP]Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.[SUP][a][/SUP] [SUP]3 [/SUP]Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.
- See the above. You are to be a Doer of the Word. God judges works. Here He tells them to Repent.
Revelation 3
[SUP]15 [/SUP]“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. [SUP]16 [/SUP]So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[SUP][g][/SUP] I will vomit you out of My mouth. [SUP]17 [/SUP]Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— [SUP]18 [/SUP]I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. [SUP]19 [/SUP]As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
- To the Laodicean Church. Once again, judging their WORKS.
- They are called to Repent. Once again, it wasn't the one time act at the beginning of their conversion.
Now, will you repent of this false premise you are peddling? Or is your opinion higher than that of God's Word?
If He started the work, it means its genuine, do you think that He will fail? God doesn't make mistakes, He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
God started the work of the Israelites deliverance from Egypt. It was genuine. He showed them great signs and wonders by bringing plagues upon Egypt. He parted the Red Sea. Slayed their pursuers. He remembered His promise to Abraham. He brought them out into the desert to worship Him (yes, that was God's reason for bringing them out). The people asked for a mediator and would not draw near to God. Moses became this mediator. God went into covenant with this people, and the people with God. God gave them the law written on stone tablets. Yet at the first opportunity, the people played the harlot. They went back into their idolatry and forsook God. God slay thousands for this idolatry. The faith of this people was tested when spying out the promised land. Only two came back with a positive report. Of all those who were delivered from Egypt (anything from around 1.5m to 3.5m people), only Two people entered the promised land.
- God fulfilled His promise to Abraham - but only a remnant was saved.
- However, by far and large the greater number of people fell in the desert because of their unbelief. They fell in the desert because of their iniquity. They would not repent.
- Now, will you test God in the same way?
You say Jesus doesn't intercede unless one is repentant, but the mere fact that you have faith in Him is the reason for His intercession. He stands in the gap, He is the mediator. This being done by the Father because HE loves us. He sent the Son. For us.
- you have a part to play in this.
- if you say you have faith, then you will have no problem with the doctrine of repentance.
The gospel you are presenting is far too reliant on self instead of Christ.
I must repent,
<because Jesus says so: Matthew 4v17> I must be holy,
<because Peter says so: 1 Peter 1v16> I must be contrite,
<because David says so: Psalm 51v17> I must walk in the light
<because John says so: 1 John 1v17>, and
I must do this and that all to what end?
<salvation> Surely not salvation, for God's righteousness is one that is imputed, a righteousness of faith. Not works, lest God be a debtor to man.
Philippians 2v12-13[SUP] 12 [/SUP]Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; [SUP]13 [/SUP]for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
James 1v22 [SUP]22 [/SUP]But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 2v17 [SUP]17 [/SUP]Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
I understand your plea for righteousness and holiness in daily living, but don't mistaken where God is taking you as the foundation of your faith (or salvation). This credit, this glory, rightly belongs to the Son.
<agreed> We are saved by and through Him. It is His finished work that has saved us all. WE have no boast, but Christ and Him crucified. When you stand before God there is not one thing that makes your case stronger or viable in exclusion to Jesus. If it was not the Son, you're done.
<Now that you have said this, Heed the words of the Son. Luke 6v46 [SUP]46 [/SUP]“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? You say you have Jesus as saviour? Ok. Now do you have Him as Lord? For if you don't have Him as Lord, you neither have Him as saviour.> lol