Mini Studies

Repentance

And rend your heart and not your garments, and turn
unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness…

Joel 2:13

When speaking to the religious leaders of His day Jesus once said, “unless you repent you will also likewise perish” (Lk.13:1-5). These words are very ominous and anyone who considers himself a true believer should take them very seriously. But what is repentance? And why is it so essential for our spiritual survival? This Mini Study answers these questions and more.

Repent of Sin:

- 1Jn. 3:4 "Sin is the transgression of the law"

- Rom. 3:23 "All have sinned"

- Rom. 6:23 "The wages of sin is death" (Ezk. 18:4, 20)

- Isa. 59:2 Sin separates us from God

- Num. 32:23 "Your sin will find you out" (Gal. 6:7)

- 1Jn. 3:4 "Sin is the transgression of the law"

- Rom. 3:23 "All have sinned"

- Rom. 6:23 "The wages of sin is death" (Ezk. 18:4, 20)

- Isa. 59:2 Sin separates us from God

- Num. 32:23 "Your sin will find you out" (Gal. 6:7)

How to Repent: Repent Means to Change

- Jer. 3:13 "acknowledge your iniquity"

- Joel 2:13 "rend your heart and turn to God"

- Ezk. 14:6 turn from sin (idiolatry) to righteousness

- Ezk. 18:21, 30 "Turn from sin and keep my statutes"

- Ezk. 33:11, 14-16 "Turn from sin and do what is lawful"

- Pro. 1:23 "turn you at my reproof (correction)"

- Isa. 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way..." (also Eph.4:28; Jonah 3:5; Eph. 4:22)

Repentance Requires a Proper Attitude:

- Psa. 51 David regarding Bathsheba

- 2Sam. 24 David regarding numbering Israel

Bring Forth Fruits:

- Mt. 3:8 "bring forth fruits meet for repentance"

- Jonah 3:10 "they turned from their evil way"

- Lk. 3:8-14 fruits of repentance - obey God’s laws (also Mt.7:16; 21:43; Lk. 6:43)

God Wants Obedience:

- 1Sam 15:22 "To obey is better than sacrifice" (also Psa.40:6; 51:6)

- Pro. 21:3 "To do judgment and justice"

- Jer. 7:21-22 God’s original command to Israel - "Obey My voice" - sacrifices came later

- Isa. 1:10-18 God wants obedience, not sacrifice

- Mic. 6:6-8 "What does the Lord require"

Conclusion:

"The first step in salvation is a change of mind" (Why Were You Born? p. 19) "Repent" in Greek (metanoeo) means "to change one’s mind."