Repentance

Luke 5:32
    I [Jesus] came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Acts 19:4
    Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 6:1
    Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God
Repentance can be a tough thing to acknowledge, especially in the church.  Many believe that once they are saved, there is no further need to change, for the Word does mention we are a new creation, the old has past away.  What believers fail to realize is, though there is a change, there will be a war in your walk between your old sinful nature and the spiritual one.  The former come to brng death, the latter brings life.  The true area of struggle isn't a struggle for many, but a choice to live in the flesh in places, and seeking God in other times.  While there are some who sincerely struggle and desire to get free, I will concentrate on why some choose to live a split life, and believe God will bless them, while accepting a small drop of God's presence as reassurance of His approval.
 
Jesus, John and Peter all had one thing in common:  Their first words in their ministry recorded in the Bible was "repent."  Repentance is the greek word "metanoia," which can mean a "reversal decision based on information."   Each one knew the meaning and it comes forth mostly to those who have not heard the gospel.  I found three references of different types of repentance and I will make brief study on each one.

The first is one of the Scriptures above, mentioning the "foundation of repentance" from dead works.  I will admit I do not fully know what the writer is passing on to the reader, but it says "not laying down," which inplies to me that either it is to be carried around with us, or we are not to forget, by placing away, this part of the creed.  What is also interesting is it is the first one written in the sixth chapter of Hebrews.  In essence, the church is called, and the apostles were reminded, to repent from works that produces no fruit or vains in labor.  A foundation is the base of whatever is built upon this, in this case, it is repentance.

The second Scripture is related to John the Baptist.  In one of his "exhortations," (some people have a hard time with that!), he went right after the people in attendance.  Before we go into that discussion, John preached to all the country of the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3:3).  Baptism means "whelmed," or to be fully wet through a ceremonial ablution.  Since the English language had no word comparable, baptism came forth from the Greek word baptizo. 
 
John was preaching being completely under by repentance that would lead them to the remission of sins.  This was the precursor to prepare those who heard to the Son of God, who would later arrive to be baptized on His own accord.   This was the message of the voice in the wilderness, to make the ways straight for the coming of the LORD (Ibid 3:4). 
Afterward, the multitude came to be baptized by him, and he saw through the facade, for he went right after them, calling them a generation of vipers, then showed them the way out, by bearing "fruits" worthy of repentance (v.7).  The people fought back, say we have Abraham as our father.  John responded that God can make stones to raise up children.  All trees that do not bear fruit, the axe is laid to chop down.  I find it ironic that John mentioned about the fruits of repentance, than returned to trees NOT bearing fruit being chopped down.  Remember, it takes awhile for trees to grow and bear fruit.  Many of these trees need to go through wind, storms and drought to persevere.  Later in its maturity, it begins to bear fruit. 
 
The benefit here is you do not have to bore a hole in an apple tree to prove what it is.  The fruit will tell.  Another Scripture that I have used when people don't like being judged on the outside (you can't tell a book by its cover) is what Jesus said when confronted by Pharisees finding a way to entrap Him.  His response:
Matthew 23:25-26
    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
 
In simple words, how the INSIDE of a man is, his outside will show it.  That blows any discussion of anyone dressing much different and saying no one knows who they think.  As a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 23:7a). 
 
Mankind may be at some points creature of habits, but we are not creatures of instinct.  Jesus mostly asked questions to people, getting them to think and have themselves judge their hearts.  Repentance begins what we hear or read, but we also need to realize a spiritual man judges all things (1 Corinthians 2:15), so I am referring more to those who call themselves Christians.  Choices become two parts when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, one is our flesh, other is our spirit.  Which one we lead by is usually the strongest in our walk.  The more we walk in the Spirit, the more He leads.  Same goes with the flesh.
 
With that foundation passed on, the church has lost its power.  We look holy walking in the church doors, but when we walk out, many change back to look like the world.  The last message to the seven churches speaks of the last days church, blind and needing help but admitting it needs nothing (Revelations 3:14-22).   The true dilemma for Jesus is that he wished they were hot or cold, for He could do nothing with them.  They are a little too hot when in the world, but also a little too cold in the church to be hot.  They enjoy the pleasures of both, and blend in well with both groups.  But Jesus sees their true condition.  A moderate, one who fluctuates between the hot and cold for their pleasure.  They do not want to be too close to God, which will expose them for their lifestyle, but they also do not want to stray from God while dancing in the world's pleasures.  In the middle riding the fence, jumping off wherever it suits them is what they like.  It is not God's will they seek, it is their own.  Simply, a religious spirit, one who seeks to manipulate God's word for their own will.  Easy what they need - Jesus says two things, buy gold refined in the fire, and eye salve to see.
 
Add to that messages from pulpits that mostly will not offend, the sermons needed for the Holy Spirit to work conviction and correction is not brought forth.  Add to the area we have not prayed for America as much as we should, and I include myself guilty as charged. Since the election, my spirit has been heavy burdened, for I do not like what I see in the upcoming future if things do not change from its current path.
 
Billy Graham put out a note for Christians about one year of prayer for repentance as Americans and as Christians.  I totally agree.  We need to stop being selfish in the Body, and start to help the wrongs by seeking God in repentance, for allowing abortion to be the law.  For electing a President, who is the first to be in open defiance and rebellion to God.  We need to pray that God will bring repentance to our elected leaders, so they can lead us righteously and we can lead peaceful lives.  Unless we are willing, and able, to see our lack of praying for good government, our desire to take more than give, or issue to worship self in a masquerade of worshiping Christ, and our faults to each other (1 John 5:16), we cannot see a change around us.  How can we stand for Biblical morality while sitting in our spiritual LaZBoy?  If we are not willing to be separate unto God, how can we show the eternal value to a lost world?  We should be a culture changer, not the world changing us into their image. 
 
Last Scripture to share.  This is the first one I read when I opened the Bible for the first time.
 
2 Cor. 7:10
    For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

Blessings,

Michael

Jeremiah 9:23-24
    Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.