"What is repentance and is it required for salvation?”

The concept of repentance is often misunderstood.  While repentance definitely means to feel sorry for a previous action, to decide to reform or change and to ask for forgiveness, the word used in scripture is the Greek term metanoia (Strongs 3341 met-an'-oy-ah), literally “change of mind”.  We can appreciate that the English word repentance paints a much stronger and often more appropriate picture of what we are called to do than the Greek.  However, it’s good to remember that repentance may begin and end with a simple change of mind. 

The best illustration of this is likely the story of the thief on the cross, Many remember that there were two criminals, one on either side of Jesus, being crucified and “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,40 saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

This Gospel account is well known as it is a remarkable story.  The one thief mocking, the other thief confessing to his previous sins and the Son of God promising the miracle of redemption “today you will be with me in paradise.”

However, in the Gospel account of Matthew, in the 27^th chapter, we are told that initially both criminals insulted and ridiculed Jesus, …43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him. 45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.…

So both began their time on the cross by mocking and cursing at Jesus, as did many of the spectators. So what happened?  What happened was the unadulterated form of repentance, he changed his mind!

There is no record of this one repentant criminal of saying he was sorry, or listing the crimes from worst to least.   The remarkable point of the story is two-fold.  One, that at the 11^th hour, likely hours or less from his death, one sinner was able to change his mind, metanoia, and appeal to Jesus.  He was fortunate in that it is actually only Jesus that has the power to take our sins and pay that price in full.  This is why I believe, Jesus later said, “It is finished.”   The work of the cross was and is completely sufficient to bring forgiveness and extend the mercy of God to the most undeserving sinner.

Secondly, Jesus is willing to forgive and restore.  We often make the transformation from condemned sinner to forgiven believer much more problematic and complicated.  Don’t misunderstand my comment here as I am one that teaches and believes that true human repentance that leads to Godly forgiveness results in a forever changed life.  If that ‘good thief’ would have been taken down from the cross and his wounds ultimately healed, he would have been a far different man.  A changed life is always the proof of repentance.  It may begin with a change of mind but always results in a change of life.

As long as someone still has a awareness even if he or she doesn’t show a response and as long as they have the ability to hear the message of the gospel, that Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord of Life who died and rose on the third day, and they have the ability to change their mind, they may be saved.   

It’s never too late to hear the gospel, it’s never too late for God to welcome a sinner into paradise.

Revival in the Church

Many of us pray for revival in the Church. 

Every church however does not need revival just as every person does not need medicine.  In the Book of Revelation chapter 3, we read about the fifth of the seven letters to the churches, the letter to the church at Sardis.

This is a troubling and actually very tragic letter to a troubled and tragic church because this church is dead.   We know this church is dead because Jesus Christ himself says at end of verse 1, "You are dead."

What is interested to note is that this church does not even know it is dead. That is what makes it even more tragic.

When we take a closer look at this church in Sardis, while we find it tragic that they are dead there is still hope.  Jesus says in the very next verse, Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 

 

In finding out why it is dead, we may find the key to revival. 

A revival for not only this church in Sardis but all other local churches that may be already dead as well.

Note that for each of these seven churches, Jesus presents the Godhead in a particular way.  The way the Lord presents himself to each of these churches is a clue as to what the church needs.  Here in Sardis Jesus calls himself "him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars."  These symbols were identified for us in the first chapter of Revelation. The "seven spirits" are a symbol of the Holy Spirit in his fullness.

Here is a clear fact. It is the Holy Spirit that gives life. The Apostle Paul said it is the Holy Spirt that gives life in Romans 8:11

“AND if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you,He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

If there is no Holy Spirit, there is no life. 

The church is not a building; it is the Body of Christ.  This Body includes all believers.   When we become a believer, God places the Holy Spirit within us, who leads us whenever we listen and respond to the Holy Spirit’s counsel. The Holy Spirit is our Guide, He is one who walks with us along the way.

It is the Holy Spirit that will convict us of sin and will enable us to repent (And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment John 16:8). When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin,we are led to repent.For the church to experience revival, the people need to repent. That is why our Lord says to Sardis, "Remember how you have received and heard, and obey it and repent." (Rev 3:3)

That is the place of new beginning.  This is the opportunity for revival! 

It is in repentance that people experience and demonstrate conversion from a sinful life in Christ and it is the Spirit of God that imparts the life of Christ.

It’s in repentance that we will experience revival.