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from: Nicolet
to: sing <singpenang@gmail.com>
date: Nov 22, 2009, 6:03 PM
Hi Pastor,
I was talking to one
of my Christian friends the other day and she told me that her church
"doesn't believe in repentance". I tried to make sense of it but the
only thing I found which made sense was that her pastor (Ps Joseph Prince from
New Creation Church) preaches a lot about God's grace and stuff and perhaps
that would mean we do not need to repent because God's grace has already
covered for our sins? Something like that would justify her claim, perhaps. But
i am still confused by that idea of not believing in repentance because from
what I know we repent after we sin so that God can work through us and stuff. I
think that that idea of Christianity came from the church's own interpretation
of the bible and their perspective towards Christianity, but it still seems
pretty blur and confusing to me (the fact that they think that way), so would
it be possible for you to help me explain that?
Thanks!
======
from: sing <singpenang@gmail.com>
to: Nicolet
date: Dec 5, 2009, 4:58 PM
Dear Sister Nicolet,
It is good to hear from you again. I hope you are enjoying your year-end break.
The subject you raised is very puzzling. Repentance is such an integral part of the Christian religion.
Christianity is a religion for sinners... and there is every need of repentance for sinners. Only the perfect and sinless have no need of repentance! It is as simple as that!
Just look at some of the things Jesus, and His Apostles said... Please read them slowly, and think about it.
"But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mt 9:13. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance... and those who are called do, and will repent (simple present tense, what one does throughout life!).
"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
"And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." Luke 3:3.
"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Lk 5:32
"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Lk 24:47.
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
"Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2Cor 7:9-10
"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2Tim 2:25.
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2Pet 3:9
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1John 1:8-10.
Repentance is turning from our sins. So, for as long as there is sin, there is need of repentance. To confess our sins is repentance. Only the sinless has no need of repentance!
Even God's children still have sins, and are commanded to repent of them. Those who claim that they have no more sins are most deluded and are in no need of repentance, the truth is not in them.
It is absolutely true that in Jesus Christ, we are looked upon by God the Judge as sinless. Jesus Christ our redeemer has suffered and died for all the sins of all His people. They are OBJECTIVELY or LEGALLY sinless in the sight of God as their Judge.
However, as God's children, they STILL and REALLY sin personally. They break God's commandments daily. They transgress the law of God daily. Therefore, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." That being the reality, they as God's children, even though LEGALLY and OBJECTIVE sinless, yet practically and personally sinful, must need practical and personal repentance daily!
Without repentance,
there is no restoration of fellowship with the Father.
Jesus Christ ALONE restored us to God, and made us His children. We are made sons and daughters of God by the free grace of God in Jesus Christ. But as God's children, we must repent of our sins to enjoy that fellowship and communion with our Father.
I hope these brief thoughts help.
Your brother and
friend in Christ Jesus,
sing
