The Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost. It is Jesus' favorite title of Himself. I chosen this title because Jesus loved this title of Himself. We ought to never forget that Jesus is fully God and fully man: two natures in One Person. He is the God-man, the Incarnate Second Person of the Trinity. May we mediate on His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension that we may be conformed to the image of the divine Son of Man! This blog web site will be a Christian defense of the Reformed doctrines of the Incarnate Son of Man. May all glory be to His name!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

We Are Called to Repentance


(Psalm 51:1, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions”).

We must repent of our sins because God calls us to repentance.  The born again person has the gift of faithful repentance.  In our own prison of life we must learn our failures and sins so we can repent.  Life fades away like a vapor but God’s faithfulness is a foundation of a hope and care.  He is faithful to forgive us of our sins.  Is it your testimony this evening that you have repented of your sins?  I hope in God’s providence He has given you the light to behold His awesome lovingkindnesses.  No matter what you have done God can forgive His people, and He surely does forgive.  He is filled with kindness and compassion.  Will you not turn to the living Triune Godhead and ask for forgiveness of your daily sins?  No matter how often you offend Him He is ready to forgive, but we must use His moral law as a way to live good lives of obedience.  I pray this evening you will turn to God in faithful repentance and continue to learn about His wonderful truth.  Best wishes to you.

God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations”). 

God is a God who forgives our sins, (1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”). 

Redeem the time:

Matthew 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

We ought to repent everyday:

Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Sinners are called to repentance: 

Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

We must preach repentance:

Mark 1:4
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

God does not call the righteous but sinners to a confession of sin:

Mark 2:17
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Repentance is unto remission:

Luke 3:3
And he came into all the country about
Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

We ought to have deeds worthy of the Gospel:

Luke 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

We must repent rebelliously:
Luke 5:32
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Repentance is joy in heaven:

Luke 15:7
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Repentance is to be proclaimed throughout the whole world:

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem.

Repentance is for God’s people:

Acts 5:31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to
Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

All elect sinners are granted repentance unto life:

Acts 11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Our baptism means we have repentance and seek to live worthy of the Gospel:

Acts 13:24
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of
Israel.

Repentance is to Christ Himself:

Acts 19:4
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Repentance is for forgiveness of sin in spiritual salvation:

Acts 20:21
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
We must turn to God for repentance:

Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of
Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

God’s goodness leads us to repentance:

Romans 2:4
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

God forgives without repenting of His forgiveness of us:

Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
 
There is a godly sorrow that leads to repentance: 

2 Corinthians 7:9
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Godly sorrow is a good thing unto repentance:

2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Let no one tell you that you are without forgiveness if you repent:

2 Timothy 2:25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Once we repent it is done:

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
 
We must repent of intentional sin if we continue in the race:

Hebrews 6:6
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

The non-elect cannot repent, but it means an offense against God:

Hebrews 12:17
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

All the elect will repent of their sins:

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(Psalm 40:10, “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation”).