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What is biblical repentance?


Introduction. Many commonly believe biblical repentance is many things which it is not. Some of the definitions for saving repentance are necessary elements which are involved in repentance, but do not make up the whole.

What saving repentance is not. Repentance is not simply ceasing from sin. The Lord repented (Gen .6:6). Does that mean the Lord ceased sinning? Repentance is not just godly sorrow. Godly sorrow works repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance is not reformation of life, as such. The son who initially refused to work in the vineyard, afterward "repented and went." (Matt. 21:29). Repentance, in this case, led to his going or change in life. Repentance is not an act which immediately and apart from any other act results in salvation, in the case of the non-Christian (Acts 2:38).

What biblical repentance is. I suggest that when repentance is used in the climate of man's salvation it is a change of mind or will which has been produced by godly sorrow and which will result in a change of life. The change of will element is seen in Matthew 21:29: "he repented and went" Repentance is essentially a change of man's will – denying our will and submitting to God's will. This change of volition is caused by the goodness of God and godly sorrow (Rom. 2:4, 2Cor.7: 10) – it is not sorrow simply because one got caught! True repentance will result in reformation of life, or, put another way, there will be the fruits of repentance (2 Cor. 7:10, 11, Matt. 3:8). Repentance without either of these essential elements is not saving repentance. Repentance is required for the non-Christian and for the erring child of God (Acts 2:38, 2 Cor. 7:9-11).
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