Repentance

Most people in the religious world today think that repentance is demonstrated by a mere “I’m sorry.”, at which point they usually perceive that their transgression is forgotten, whether by God or another person.  Many people are also guilty of teaching and believing that there certain ‘escape routes’ where Biblical repentance is not necessary.  These two things are that which this article will address.

            The process of repentance before God is laid out in the 33^rd chapter of Ezekiel where many examples are given.  Verse fifteen states that “If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.”  If a promise has been broken, it must be upheld, if something has been stolen, it must be returned, and the person must resume a life of ‘walking in the statutes of life’, which is the keeping of God’s commandments (this same principle is found in 1^st John 1:7).  It is the sinner who does these things that will be forgiven by God, even if the people who were sinned against  do not forgive.  If it seems that this process is complicated, consider the simplified version of the same statement in verse nineteen of the same chapter – “But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.”

            What of the ‘escape routes’?  People often take the grace and forgiveness of God for granted.  For example, many today assume that once they are saved all things before that time are magically erased.  However, it is the case that repentance comes before salvation, and is necessary in order for one to obtain salvation.  Therefore, whatever wrongs can be attended to or reconciled must be!  Some cling to this doctrine so steadily that it has become common to teach that if a person is on their 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, etc. marriage, that they can stay in it because God’s wonderful grace will continue to look over this sin.  How foolish?  Just as a thief must give back that which they took after repentance, so must all things be handled!  If a person refuses to do this in any situation, then they mock God’s grace and sin in His face!  It may be that this is a ‘hard saying’, and may be it does not sound fair.  The people in Ezekiel 33 thought the same way, as verse 20 says “Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal.”, but God follows that with “O house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.”  So, even though a person does not think God’s requirements are fair does not mean that He will not enforce them!  A New Testament parallel of Ezekiel is found in Acts chapter ten in verses 34-25, where God says that He is not a respecter of persons (He is equal), but God does accept the ones who fear (respect) Him and ‘work righteousness’.  This is the same admonition as given in Ezekiel.  The unrighteous must repent and work righteousness, or they will be condemned because God has said “I will judge every one of you according to his ways” (Eze.33:20;2^ndCor.5:10)