| Except Ye Repent |
The three words of this title come from Luke 13:5, which reads, "Except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish". Plainly, then, the tragic alternative to repentance is eternal perdition.
In view of this fact, it is extremely important that everyone knows what repentance is and how
it is accomplished.
To reform is to "improve one's character or conduct; to become better; to behave better; to
give up misconduct; to make better by removing faults or defects." One who genuinely
reforms will, from that moment on, live a better life. And certainly this is to be desired.
However, reformation falls short in at least one vital particular - it does nothing about the past.
It leaves upon the pages of God's record all the sins that a person has committed.
Consequently, it leaves the sinner still under the sentence of death.
Suppose that a criminal who has been guilty of many and various offenses against the law
decides to reform. From that moment on, he determines to be a law-abiding citizen. This
would be commendable, but it would not absolve him from the guilt of his past crimes. If he is
apprehended, or if he surrenders himself, he will still be called upon to pay for his past crimes,
unless he is given a pardon.
The same is true of the sinner in relation to this past sins.
Repentance is, first of all, a turning away from all sin. And, so far as this first aspect is
concerned, it closely resembles reformation.
But repentance further involves turning to God, in believing prayer, for forgiveness and
cleasning from all sin. Such prayer is not necessarily vocal, but it usually is. The repentant
person confesses to God that he is a sinner and asks for forgiveness. If he obeys the gospel,
he can rest assured that God will forgive, for His Word promises, "If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9).
How is genuine repentance brought about? Paul explained, "For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10). Before a person can repent, he must feel
sorrow for his sins. And this must be godly sorrow. For someone to be sorry merely because
they have brought trouble upon him, is not enough. He must be sorry because he has broken
the commandments of God, spurned His gospel, and thereby grieved Him days without
number.
Such godly sorrow is the only motivating force for real repentance.
A person cannot receive the Holy Ghost before repentance. Jesus said that the "world" could
not receive this experience (John 14:17). He meant that those who were unwilling to give up
the carnal things of the world, through repentance, could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter made this plain in Acts 2:38 - "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost". It was
no accident that he mentioned repentance first. In God's divine order, repentance must
precede water baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost.
The requirements for receiving the Holy Spirit are repentance and faith. In many cases, those
who tarry for this spiritual experience without receiving it simply have not repented. If and
when this is true, it is useless for such a one to praise God with the expectation of receiving
the Holy Ghost. He should first repent and claim God's promise of forgiveness. As his burdens
lift because of confession of sin and as he feels God's love and mercy, he will naturally begin
to worship God. And God will pour out His Spirit upon this repentant, believing, worshiping
soul!
The time to repent is strictly limited by the extent of earthly life. There can be no repentance
after death. Since in the normal course of events no one knows how long he will live, it is
perilous indeed to procrastinate. The Bible declares, "It is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
The time of repentance is further limited by the duration of a person's capability of being
impressed by conviction. A continued refusal to repent when called by God's Spirit brings
hardness of heart. Paul spoke of people who were "past feeling" (Ephesians 4:19). Such
people no longer feel God's Spirit leading them to serve them. They have lost all desire for
repentance.
The apostle also asked this question: "Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?" (Romans 2:4). Think of the goodness of God to you, and surely your heart will
be inclined toward repentance.
The Lord is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2
Peter 3:9).
Taken from the Word Aflame Press tract "Except Ye Repent" - #156722069X.
| Introduction |
| Repentance Is More Than Reformation |
| What Is Repentance? |
| The Basis of Repentance |
| Repentance and the Holy Ghost Baptism |
| Time for Repentance is Limited |
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Princeton Apostolic Church
