Repentance From Sin

by Nancy Paulson

I recently received a copy of Webster's 1828 Dictionary, "the one ... that defines every word both in the original language and from its Biblical usage" and looked up the words: sin, repent and repentance. How many times have you heard that repent means to "turn away"?

Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines:

sin:
The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule or rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. Sin is either a positive act in which a known divine law is violated, or it is the voluntary neglect to obey a positive divine command, or a rule of duty clearly implied in such command. Sin comprehends not actions only, but whatever is contrary to God's commands or law. 1 John 3; Matt. 15, James 4.

repent:

1. To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken.
2. To express sorrow for something past.
3. To change the mind in consequences of the inconvenience or injury done by past conduct.
4. Applied to the Supreme Being - to change the course of providential dealings.
5. In theology, to sorrow or be pained for sin as a violation of God's holy law, a dishonor to his character and government, and the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite benevolence.

repentance:

1. Sorrow for anything done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequences of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.
2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.
3. Real penitence ; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God and his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.
   

   Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God. Hammond
   Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation. 2 Corinthians 7, Matthew 3
   Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that has offended God. Johnson

These definitions refer to God's government and man's duty, something that is not found in modern definitions. Also, notice that when one repents one feels pain, sorrow or regret for past conduct.

Why is it then, that when people preach "repentance" they refer to future conduct? Isn't what they are preaching legal repentance, (see repentance definition 2 above) and they speak of the need to change one's behavior to escape punishment. The result then is that one gets someone to change their behavior based on dos and don'ts because they want to escape the punishment. Is this not the concept behind the statement, "Wouldn't most men and women be willing to be saved from the fires of hell if they could have it [salvation] and KEEP their sins too?" (Posted on "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth Message Board" by Lisa - Feb 10,01) It is important to note that this type of repentance can exist without an amendment of life. Israel is an example of this.

(Romans 10:1-3 KJV) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. {2} For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. {3} For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Israel had departed from God's prescribed duty and went about doing things their way.

(Acts 17:30-31 KJV) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: {31} Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

The reason we need to repent of our past conduct is because of the judgement of God; for we have all sinned (all departed from the path of duty prescribed by God to man) and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Real penitence ; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God and his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. Do you feel sorrow and pain because you departed from the duty prescribed by God to you? Do you even know what your duty is? (Read Romans - Philemon)

Whenever we fail to obey scriptures that define the duty prescribed by God to us Gentiles and obey scriptures that are meant for Israel, we are expressing ingratitude towards God. We are telling God that we do not want to do things His way; we want to do it our way, what we think is best. And for this, we ought to repent.

(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.