“Some Essentials of Repentance”

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says theLord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!  (Ezekiel 18:30-32)
 
In the context of this passage Ezekiel has clearly stated the dilemma – “the soul that sins, it shall die” (vs. 20).  The soul that sins will die or be spiritually separated from God.   However, God “has no pleasure in the one who dies”.   Thus, he clearly states the solution – “repent”!    Some have said that repentance is a change of mind that brings about a change of action. That’s a good definition, but consider from this passage some other essentials to repentance.

A necessary prerequisite to repentance is for one to “consider”.  “Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die”. (vs.28)  God wants the sinner to contemplate the seriousness of the transgression.  It is a like parent telling a child “go to your room and think about what you’ve just done”.  Those words came to me when I was a boy.   I had thrown a rock and hit another child in the eye.  I was forced to face the victim (bloody face and all) and contemplate what I had done.  It taught me a valuable lesson.  The transgressor must think about the wickedness he has committed and recognize the consequences.   Hopefully, such introspection will lead to the godly sorrow that produces repentance.  (II Cor 7:10)
 
Next, the sinner must “get a new heart and a new spirit”. (vs. 31)  The heart is where his sins are conceived. (Lk.6:45)  Thus, God wants him to reprogram his mind.  (Rom. 12:2)  A good or bad heart produces a good or bad person.  It is impossible for one to change their lives without changing their hearts. Put away evil thoughts and think on things that are pure!

Finally, God exhorts the sinner to “cast away from you all your sins”. (vs.31)  Literally, the word “cast” means to fling the garment!  It pictures one who repudiates the deed done and is ready to shove it away!  He is ready to cease from his ungodliness and to start living a godly and holy life.
  
So my brother, is there sin in your life?  If so, then repent!  God does not want you to die, but to live!

By George Slover
 

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