And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Repentance
By Louis Rushmore

Repentance is first a decision to stop sinning. Second, repentance
is the practice of righteousness instead of sin. Repentance, then,
begins in the mind and afterward is demonstrated outwardly. However,
repentance is neither a mental process alone nor is repentance
reformation of life alone. True repentance involves the combined
REFORMATION OF MIND AND BODY.

John the Baptist gave the following instruction to some who claimed
to have repented. "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance"
(Matthew 3:8). He called upon those to whom he preached to repent
not only in word but also in action.

Repentance is essential to obtain the forgiveness of sins; those who
do not repent will be lost. "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent,
ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Repentance and baptism
will take away sins. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins . . ." (Acts 2:38).

Since "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23), all must repent. "And the
times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men
every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). God does not want anyone to be
lost, but he desires everyone to repent. Though God patiently waits
now, someday time will cease and judgment will begin.

"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. But the
day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which
the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that
are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:910).

Study of God's Word produces faith. Faith leads one to repent.
Repentance is followed by profession of Christ to others. Finally,
baptism takes away sins. Dear Reader, have you repented? Repentance
is part of God's plan to save us.

____________

H. A. "Buster" Dobbs, email: had@worldnet.att.net
P. O. Box 690192
Houston, Texas 77269~0192
(281) 469~3540

http://www.bibleinfonet.org


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