Must we repent in order to be forgiven?
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HEBREWS was written to Hebrew Christians. " There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" It's safe to say that what was written to Hebrew Christians is sanctioned by the Holy Spirit for all Christians
(sorry, thats 'not the post I was responding to)
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" It's safe to say that what was written to Hebrew Christians is sanctioned by the Holy Spirit for all Christians
(sorry, thats 'not the post I was responding to)
Yes, He knows how to deliver us...but we can certainly refuse to go...or as in the case of Lot's wife, become lost right in the middle of the deliverance, right?
Precisely...except what if the heart REFUSES to repent? What happens is the heart hardens and hardens so that it no longer feels those pricks and thus becomes incapable of repentance: the Unpardonable Sin, which is ANY sin from which we do not seek pardon because through stubborn resistance to God's pricks, we are no longer able to seek pardon.
That's contradictory to me...how can you say a saint in never in danger of forfeiting (a better description) salvation but then admit that when Peter was talking to saints when he warned that "the latter end of them is worse than the beginning" -- meaning in a lost sinful condition before they became saints -- if they again become entangled in the pollution of the world?
Precisely...except what if the heart REFUSES to repent? What happens is the heart hardens and hardens so that it no longer feels those pricks and thus becomes incapable of repentance: the Unpardonable Sin, which is ANY sin from which we do not seek pardon because through stubborn resistance to God's pricks, we are no longer able to seek pardon.
That's contradictory to me...how can you say a saint in never in danger of forfeiting (a better description) salvation but then admit that when Peter was talking to saints when he warned that "the latter end of them is worse than the beginning" -- meaning in a lost sinful condition before they became saints -- if they again become entangled in the pollution of the world?
Repentence is also how you show God through your choices and actions that you are sincere about turning away from a sin.
Note this is not the same thing as struggling with a sin like an addiction.
For example, I repent of murder, but... continue murdering. On purpose. That's not repentance. That's just a cover and excuse.
But let's say I have an addiction to it. Well. If you can't stop it, and it's something with such serious consequences, turn yourself in and beg for mental help at least.
Scenario 2, one is at least trying to turn from the sin.
Mind you, I only use that particular sin as a blatant example.
Littler sins can include things like alcoholism and the things one might do when drunk.
But one should still be seeking out help for a sin if one has trouble with it. But it's the difference between a sincere effort and using forgiveness as a license to sin.
To the adultress, Jesus forgave her, but He did give her a command: "Go and sin no more."
He forgave her, but He also told her to stop doing it.
True repentance is not just feeling bad but making the effort to stop doing it and to CHANGE.
Repentance is an action and choice, not a feeling.
Note this is not the same thing as struggling with a sin like an addiction.
For example, I repent of murder, but... continue murdering. On purpose. That's not repentance. That's just a cover and excuse.
But let's say I have an addiction to it. Well. If you can't stop it, and it's something with such serious consequences, turn yourself in and beg for mental help at least.
Scenario 2, one is at least trying to turn from the sin.
Mind you, I only use that particular sin as a blatant example.
Littler sins can include things like alcoholism and the things one might do when drunk.
But one should still be seeking out help for a sin if one has trouble with it. But it's the difference between a sincere effort and using forgiveness as a license to sin.
To the adultress, Jesus forgave her, but He did give her a command: "Go and sin no more."
He forgave her, but He also told her to stop doing it.
True repentance is not just feeling bad but making the effort to stop doing it and to CHANGE.
Repentance is an action and choice, not a feeling.
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Sounds like the "total depravity" of Calvinism's "TULIP".
I disagree. God gave me the free will to accept or reject His offer to regenerate my heart. It's my duty to believe and accept, and He takes care of the rest.
Can I remind you that the most depraved being in the universe -- Satan -- is perfectly capable of being reasoned with? Did not he and God hold a debate regarding Job and did not Satan strike a deal with God as to how he would afflict the man? Yet, we who are far less depraved are incapable of being impressed by the Holy Spirit of our need to repent while in an unregenerate state? Not buying it
I disagree. God gave me the free will to accept or reject His offer to regenerate my heart. It's my duty to believe and accept, and He takes care of the rest.
Can I remind you that the most depraved being in the universe -- Satan -- is perfectly capable of being reasoned with? Did not he and God hold a debate regarding Job and did not Satan strike a deal with God as to how he would afflict the man? Yet, we who are far less depraved are incapable of being impressed by the Holy Spirit of our need to repent while in an unregenerate state? Not buying it