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Has Repentance Become a Four Letter Word?
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Why is the word 'repentance' often vilified or treated like a 'four letter word' in Christian subculture? On this episode seasoned pastors Lincoln and Nick talk about the common misunderstandings about the biblical concept of repentance as 'works,' the unfortunate practice of accidentally presenting the Gospel as merely mentally ascribing to a certain set of facts about Jesus, and why it's so important to get this distinction right as we attempt to share the Message of Jesus with greater biblical clarity for genuine saving-faith.
Notes:
Repentance…comes FROM God by conviction through His Spirit (John 16:8), so it is not simply being sorry for your sins. With repentance there is sorrow, but you can have sorrow without repentance. Many people are sorry for the consequences of their sin, but not sin itself. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but earthly sorrow brings death.” —2nd Corinthians 7:10
Repentance…is not just quitting a sinful act or trying harder to ‘be good.’ Some people have stopped committing certain sins and changed for personal reasons (health, reputation, family, business, etc.), but not because their sins displeases God. Repentance is a supernatural experience which results in desiring God to have His full and rightful honor as your Creator and the Lord of your life.
Repentance…and 'turning back' (Gr. epistrepho) from sin to Jesus as Lord are mentioned over 70 times in the New Testament. Jesus Himself said, “But unless you repent, you too will perish.”—Luke 13:3. Early Christians used the word “turning” as a ‘nickname’ for becoming a convert to Christianity—i.e.—the ‘old life’ behind, and a ‘new life’ was ahead.--Dr. Thomas Constable: Notes on Acts 2025. p. 159
How Important is it to repent? …The Bible says, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” –2nd Timothy 2:19. “Saving-Faith includes repentance… in those text which speak simply of faith a ‘theological short-hand’ seems to be employed: …conversion is the kind of faiththat includes repentance.”—WALLACE, DANIEL B .2008. GREEK GRAMMAR BEYOND THE BASICS: P. 289
Resource Recommendation: The Unsaved Christian by Dean Inserra:
https://www.amazon.com/Unsaved-Christian-Reaching-Cultural-Christianity/dp/0802418805
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