Somewhere along the way, has the church taken the word
“Repent” out of its vocabulary? Has the doctrine of “Repentance” become passé,
and maybe even politically incorrect, in our modern liberal society in which
everything goes?
If what is deemed “right” is now in the eyes of the
beholder, is it then even permissible for the church to ask another to repent?
Has the church become essentially a “feel-good” club for its members, scared to
upset the status quo of the society in which it finds itself, and scared of the
possibility of being labeled intolerant morality judgers? Has it become more
concerned with the gaining and retention of new members than it has with the
grass-roots call to repentance that the early church knew and preached?
The Greek word from which we most often get our English word
Repentance is the word “metanoia.” Basically
it speaks of the making of a decision to change one’s mind and attitude from an
evil way of life to a way of holiness. It is the making of a U-Turn from the
direction of a self-willed life to a God-willed and directed life. It is agreeing
with God and essentially saying, “Yes
Lord, you are right; I am a sinner worthy of death. Here and now I accept the
atonement of Jesus and commit myself to walking my life according to your ways
and precepts.”
Though many of the old-time preachers of yesteryear
regularly preached that message - such as Charles Spurgeon, Leonard Ravenhill,
David Wilkerson, and a host of others - it seems to me that few today do
likewise. Instead we often hear messages from the Christian community of almost
everything else except the need for repentance. At the risk of digressing too
far, I’ve actually heard sermons on the merits of Harry Potter (I kid you not)
and discussions of someone’s post-doctoral studies; neither of which, if I
recall correctly, had even one verse of Scripture or Christian principle in it.
If repentance isn’t preached, then is that not the same as
essentially saying that we no longer believe it to be a requirement for the
church? If so, then isn’t that also the same as suggesting that God must have
changed His mind about calling people to repentance? Consider this thought from
the Apostle Paul:
“Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and longsuffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)? But by your callous stubbornness and impenitence of heart you are storing up wrath and indignation for yourself on the day of wrath and indignation, when God’s righteous judgment (just doom) will be revealed.” (Romans 2: 4-5; Amplified)
Let’s consider a few of the parts of those verses:
… trifling
… presumption
… despising
… underestimating
About what? About “the
wealth of His kindness and forbearance and longsuffering patience.” Have we
done that? Have we forgotten or taken for granted the message of the cross of
Christ? Certainly Paul’s not talking about us today, is he? Hmm, I wonder.
… unmindful
… ignorant
Sound harsh? Who, us? About what are we unmindful and
ignorant? “God’s kindness is intended to
lead you to repent.” Yes, God is kind and loving; it’s a part of His
nature. But He is also so that we might REPENT. Have we forgotten that? Hmm, I
wonder.
… stubbornness
… impenitence
Consequences? You’ve got to be kidding! What consequences? “Storing up wrath and indignation for
yourself.” Ouch! When was the last time we heard a message on the wrath of
God? (I can almost hear the objections to this now) I bet it’s been a while. Do
we still believe that part? Some don’t. Is there really going to be a day of
judgment? Hmm, I wonder.
The truth is, however, that those of us who are in Christ Jesus, have
nothing to fear.
“Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1; Amplified)
That is the Good News … for you and me … IF we know Jesus
and walk in the Spirit. So where does that leave the preaching of repentance? Let
me ask a pointed question: Do none of us in the church today have unsaved
neighbors, friends and relatives? If so, then ‘maybe’ we’re excused from
preaching repentance. But if that is untrue in our circle of acquaintances,
then to not preach repentance is to either not believe in the literal existence
of hell, or it is to be self-centered and unconcerned with the eternal destiny
of our neighbors, friends, and relatives.
Alternately, maybe we’re just too scared of being labeled
intolerant by our neighbors, friends, and relatives. One final thought:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10; NIV)
Something to think about.
Hi Will,
ReplyDeleteI find that there seems to be a false definition given to the word Repent.
It simply means a change of mind.
Not a turning, forsaking etc. Just a change of mind or attitude.
Meta - change, noia - mind.
Repentance is not turning from sin, nor forsaking one's sins.
In the context of salvation to Repent simply means to change your mind from unbelief about your sin and the means of salvation, ie: through Christ alone by faith alone.
Dr Thomas Cucuzza has a great document on Repentance free online.
Dear Anonymous,
DeleteI will have to look for that article. Thanks for sharing. Peace & Blessings :)