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Monday Madness: The Forgotten Doctrine
How many doctrinally sound hymns or spiritual songs are about repentance? or actually mention the need to repent? or the word repent?
Our generation teaches false assurance in a fluff gospel at the expense of proclaiming necessary repentance. In fact, there is probably no doctrine that needs to be clearly communicated to our generation more than the doctrine of repentance... especially since faith and repentance are truly inseperable.If you type in the word repent in the google blog search you will find info on Yom Kippur, one of the Jewish holy days that "provides the opportunity to cleanse the palette, ask forgiveness for any ills caused to others, either with thoughts, words, or physical or mental harm. Yom Kippur is a chance to start over (a do over?) with a fresh canvas for life... It's not a coincidence that Yom Kippur falls right after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year." One blog discussed stats on around 80,000 Jewish dentists confessing and repenting of eating bacon... with most admitting to indulging on the bacon the day before Yom Kippur knowing that one can repent the next day.
Another blog discusses something about repenting and converting to Islam. And then there was an actual sermon link on a blog called Repent! The Forgotten Doctrine of Salvation! where it is written, It’s also crucial to point out that repentance is a gift from God.
I made a post awhile back about the monergistic work of regeneration where I wrote, God alone is the source of power that made me willing to repent and believe. The Scriptures clearly show that faith and repentance are the evidence and not the cause of salvation... This regeneration is God giving me the spiritual life that enabled me to repent and believe but is also what I could not do apart from God because I was in bondage to sin.
I could not see... I could not understand... I could not come to believe without being born again until He first gave me a new nature, until first being effectually called by the Holy Spirit. It is not that I did not want to hear. It is that I could not hear.
Ryle wrote once of faith as "the hand" by which we lay hold of Christ (Heb. 6:18); "the eye" by which we look to him (John 3:14-15; Heb. 12:2); "the mouth" by which we feed on him (John 6); and "the foot" by which we run to him (Prov. 18:10).
It is God that sets forth both Divine and human elements in salvation. There is both, as set forth by God, monergistic in the securing of salvation and synergistic in the manifestation of salvation.
Synergistic... a working together where God calls us to action, in the manifestation of salvation, the repentance, the faith, the progressive sanctification process, the perseverence in holiness. But none of these manifestations are possible apart from God for it is God that has given me the heart to do these things. "Salvation is of the Lord." (Jonah 2:9)
And the securing of salvation is monergistic in election, the effectual call, regeneration, justification, positional sanctification (definitive), adoption and glorification.
So what really is true repentance?
1. Repentance is taking full responsibility for the sin2. Repentance is turning from the idol we serve to the true God
What do we mean by idols? How does that tie into sin? Sin is not just a transgression of a law of God. It involves a turing from God in unbelief and turing to something else as a "god". When I sin I am saying to God, "I do not trust you. I do not believe your way is good and best. I do not believe you are wise." In place of the true God I worship pleasure, a lover, a lie, my money, a career advancement, my reputation etc. We cannot worhsip God and sin. we cannot sin without worshipping idols. Deep in the heart of man there is a powerful pull of idolatry. We want to worship this other god because of the pleasure it brings us. That love for sin and out false lover can actually keep us from repentance.
- Mark Lauterbach - The Transforming Community
"Repent ye, and believe the gospel."—Mark 1:15
What children's hymn are the following words from? and going back to my original question... how many hymns and spiritual songs really do sing about repentance?
Most importantly, what Scriptures point us to repentance? Who in the Bible taught repentance? what does the Word of God teach about repentance?"Repentance is to leave
The sins we loved before,
And show that we in earnest grieve,
By doing so no more."
Comments
Yuppers. Repentance and faith are inseperable. Repentance is not a work. I predict a few "Free Grace" people show up and start lambasting this blog in the next 24 hours...Eeep!
Posted by: The_Armchair_Theologian | October 9, 2006 03:01 PM
Armchair,
Yes... well, and here is the Reformation Theology Response to the "Free Grace" Movement
I doubt the "free grace" people will show up and lambast my blog... leave that to the egalitarians in regards to Biblical submission. (Some or most of which are perhaps one in the same)
Come to think of it, repentance essentially is Biblical submission.
Sincerely,
Lisa
Posted by: lisa4given | October 9, 2006 06:18 PM
Thanks for the post, Lisa. I agree; we've largely forgotten what true biblical repentance is because we've strayed away from the biblical teaching of sin and God's wrath against it. I began a preaching series in Luke earlier this year and when I got to John the Baptist's message on repentance (Luke 3), I veered off for four Sundays to preach about repentance. At times, it almost seemed like I was getting blank looks until Scripture spoke clearly. Then faces changed, people were convicted by the Holy Spirit and repentance began in their hearts. May all the praise go to God for this. Perhaps I'll post the messages on my blog. We'll see.
Again, thanks, and may God continue to bless you.
Posted by: Kevin Sorensen | October 10, 2006 12:31 PM
Pastor Kevin,
Let me know when you have posted that message on your blog. I would love to read it.
Sincerely,
Lisa
Posted by: lisa4given | October 10, 2006 12:38 PM