Repentance
Not Optional

Acts 2:38


And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • What does it mean to "know" Christ?
  • Have you tried to make repentance optional in your life? What are you holding onto that God wants you to turn from?
  • Has anyone presented this urgency to repent to you before? Why or why not?
  • Knowledge without repentance, will be but a torch to light men to hell.
    - Thomas Watson
  • Confession of sin shuts the mouth of hell and opens the gate of paradise.
    - Augustine
  • There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.
    - C.S. Lewis

Luke 13:5


No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

  • What does it mean to "know" Christ?
  • Have you tried to make repentance optional in your life? What are you holding onto that God wants you to turn from?
  • Has anyone presented this urgency to repent to you before? Why or why not?
  • Knowledge without repentance, will be but a torch to light men to hell.
    - Thomas Watson
  • Confession of sin shuts the mouth of hell and opens the gate of paradise.
    - Augustine
  • There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.
    - C.S. Lewis

2 Peter 3:9


The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

  • What does it mean to "know" Christ?
  • Have you tried to make repentance optional in your life? What are you holding onto that God wants you to turn from?
  • Has anyone presented this urgency to repent to you before? Why or why not?
  • Knowledge without repentance, will be but a torch to light men to hell.
    - Thomas Watson
  • Confession of sin shuts the mouth of hell and opens the gate of paradise.
    - Augustine
  • There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.
    - C.S. Lewis

Matthew 7:21-23


“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

  • What does it mean to "know" Christ?
  • Have you tried to make repentance optional in your life? What are you holding onto that God wants you to turn from?
  • Has anyone presented this urgency to repent to you before? Why or why not?
  • Knowledge without repentance, will be but a torch to light men to hell.
    - Thomas Watson
  • Confession of sin shuts the mouth of hell and opens the gate of paradise.
    - Augustine
  • There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.
    - C.S. Lewis

1 Corinthians 6:9-11


Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

  • What does it mean to "know" Christ?
  • Have you tried to make repentance optional in your life? What are you holding onto that God wants you to turn from?
  • Has anyone presented this urgency to repent to you before? Why or why not?
  • Knowledge without repentance, will be but a torch to light men to hell.
    - Thomas Watson
  • Confession of sin shuts the mouth of hell and opens the gate of paradise.
    - Augustine
  • There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.
    - C.S. Lewis

1 John 2:4


Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

  • What does it mean to "know" Christ?
  • Have you tried to make repentance optional in your life? What are you holding onto that God wants you to turn from?
  • Has anyone presented this urgency to repent to you before? Why or why not?
  • Knowledge without repentance, will be but a torch to light men to hell.
    - Thomas Watson
  • Confession of sin shuts the mouth of hell and opens the gate of paradise.
    - Augustine
  • There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it.
    - C.S. Lewis
Commanded by God

Acts 17:30-31


The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

  • If we are freed by grace, why should we still repent?
  • Is there something that God commands that you disagree with? Should you still pursue his command?

Matthew 3:8


Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

  • If we are freed by grace, why should we still repent?
  • Is there something that God commands that you disagree with? Should you still pursue his command?

Matthew 4:17


From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

  • If we are freed by grace, why should we still repent?
  • Is there something that God commands that you disagree with? Should you still pursue his command?

John 8:11


She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

  • If we are freed by grace, why should we still repent?
  • Is there something that God commands that you disagree with? Should you still pursue his command?
We are a New Creation

Romans 6:1-2


What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

  • Do you have a new life that's different from your old life? Describe your old/new life.
  • Do you recall a point where you hated sin?
  • Have other people close to you noticed this differnce in your life?
  • Until sin be bitter-Christ will not be sweet.
    - Thomas Watson
  • The meaning of the word repentance has been twisted in recent years to the point that its biblical meaning is now obscured in the minds of many. The idea that genuine repentance could result in anything but a change of life is completely foreign to Scripture.
    - John MacArthur
  • ... There are a whole lot of people who think they’ve been born again, but they are dangerously deceived... if someone gets hit by a Mack truck going seventy miles per hour, that person is going to look very different than he did before. In light of this, I feel like I’m on pretty safe ground in assuming that once people truly come face-to-face with Jesus, the God of the universe in the flesh, and Jesus reaches down into the depth of their hearts, saves their souls from the clutches of sin, and transforms their lives to follow him, they are going to look different. Very different. People who claim to be Christians while their lives look no different from the rest of the world are clearly not Christians.
    - David Platt

1 Peter 2:21


Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

  • Do you have a new life that's different from your old life? Describe your old/new life.
  • Do you recall a point where you hated sin?
  • Have other people close to you noticed this differnce in your life?
  • Until sin be bitter-Christ will not be sweet.
    - Thomas Watson
  • The meaning of the word repentance has been twisted in recent years to the point that its biblical meaning is now obscured in the minds of many. The idea that genuine repentance could result in anything but a change of life is completely foreign to Scripture.
    - John MacArthur
  • ... There are a whole lot of people who think they’ve been born again, but they are dangerously deceived... if someone gets hit by a Mack truck going seventy miles per hour, that person is going to look very different than he did before. In light of this, I feel like I’m on pretty safe ground in assuming that once people truly come face-to-face with Jesus, the God of the universe in the flesh, and Jesus reaches down into the depth of their hearts, saves their souls from the clutches of sin, and transforms their lives to follow him, they are going to look different. Very different. People who claim to be Christians while their lives look no different from the rest of the world are clearly not Christians.
    - David Platt

Romans 6:15-18


What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

  • Do you have a new life that's different from your old life? Describe your old/new life.
  • Do you recall a point where you hated sin?
  • Have other people close to you noticed this differnce in your life?
  • Until sin be bitter-Christ will not be sweet.
    - Thomas Watson
  • The meaning of the word repentance has been twisted in recent years to the point that its biblical meaning is now obscured in the minds of many. The idea that genuine repentance could result in anything but a change of life is completely foreign to Scripture.
    - John MacArthur
  • ... There are a whole lot of people who think they’ve been born again, but they are dangerously deceived... if someone gets hit by a Mack truck going seventy miles per hour, that person is going to look very different than he did before. In light of this, I feel like I’m on pretty safe ground in assuming that once people truly come face-to-face with Jesus, the God of the universe in the flesh, and Jesus reaches down into the depth of their hearts, saves their souls from the clutches of sin, and transforms their lives to follow him, they are going to look different. Very different. People who claim to be Christians while their lives look no different from the rest of the world are clearly not Christians.
    - David Platt

Ephesians 4:17-5:21


Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

  • Do you have a new life that's different from your old life? Describe your old/new life.
  • Do you recall a point where you hated sin?
  • Have other people close to you noticed this differnce in your life?
  • Until sin be bitter-Christ will not be sweet.
    - Thomas Watson
  • The meaning of the word repentance has been twisted in recent years to the point that its biblical meaning is now obscured in the minds of many. The idea that genuine repentance could result in anything but a change of life is completely foreign to Scripture.
    - John MacArthur
  • ... There are a whole lot of people who think they’ve been born again, but they are dangerously deceived... if someone gets hit by a Mack truck going seventy miles per hour, that person is going to look very different than he did before. In light of this, I feel like I’m on pretty safe ground in assuming that once people truly come face-to-face with Jesus, the God of the universe in the flesh, and Jesus reaches down into the depth of their hearts, saves their souls from the clutches of sin, and transforms their lives to follow him, they are going to look different. Very different. People who claim to be Christians while their lives look no different from the rest of the world are clearly not Christians.
    - David Platt
Strength from the Holy Spirit

Titus 3:3-5


For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Godly Grief

2 Corinthians 7:9-10


As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

  • What are the two types of grief?
  • Should we grieve if we've been forgiven of all our sins?
  • When was a time where you've felt a Godly grief?
  • We are to find as much bitterness in weeping for sin-as ever we found sweetness in committing it. Surely David found more bitterness in repentance-than ever he found comfort in Bathsheba ... Blushing is the color of virtue. When the heart has been made black with sin, grace makes the face red with blushing.
    - Thomas Watson
  • A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world (John 16:21). So the sorrows of humbled sinners bring forth Grace, and what joy there is when this child is born!
    - Thomas Watson

Psalm 51:17


The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

  • What are the two types of grief?
  • Should we grieve if we've been forgiven of all our sins?
  • When was a time where you've felt a Godly grief?
  • We are to find as much bitterness in weeping for sin-as ever we found sweetness in committing it. Surely David found more bitterness in repentance-than ever he found comfort in Bathsheba ... Blushing is the color of virtue. When the heart has been made black with sin, grace makes the face red with blushing.
    - Thomas Watson
  • A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world (John 16:21). So the sorrows of humbled sinners bring forth Grace, and what joy there is when this child is born!
    - Thomas Watson
Avoid unrepentant Christians

1 Corinthians 5:11


But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

  • Why is it important to avoid unrepentant Christians? Are you currently avoiding someone like this?
  • Should we avoid unrepentant unbelievers?
  • The [hypocrite] hears the word-but is all ear. He is for temple-devotion, where others may look upon him and admire him- but he neglects family and closet prayer. Indeed, if prayer does not make a man leave sin-sin will make him leave prayer... He is a pretender of faith... He carries his Bible under his arm- but not in his heart!
    - Thomas Watson

2 Timothy 3:1-5


But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

  • Why is it important to avoid unrepentant Christians? Are you currently avoiding someone like this?
  • Should we avoid unrepentant unbelievers?
  • The [hypocrite] hears the word-but is all ear. He is for temple-devotion, where others may look upon him and admire him- but he neglects family and closet prayer. Indeed, if prayer does not make a man leave sin-sin will make him leave prayer... He is a pretender of faith... He carries his Bible under his arm- but not in his heart!
    - Thomas Watson
Zoom In

Repentance


The word for true Biblical repentance is “Metanoia”, a transliteration of the Greek “μετάνοια” can be defined as "a change of ​mind​" and ​purpose​ and ​life​, to which remission of sin is promised​"

- Easton's Bible Dictionary

Merely saying “I have sinned” is not proof of genuine repentance. David, Saul, and Pharaoh verbalized repentance, but only David showed true repentance and perseverance through action.

True conversion

The Process of Sanctification

Inspired form Figure 38.1 Wayne Grutem, “Systematic Theology”

Repentance is a life-long process. Never in this life will we reach perfection, but despite failures and setbacks, true Christians will increase in righteousness during their life. When we die, we will be glorified in new bodies that will be able to follow Christ perfectly without sin.