This message is part of a group of teachings that I have entitled, “The Process of Salvation”. The first of these was the previous message that was released last week entitled, “God’s Drawing, Leading, and Pursuit – Know the Difference”. Both the blog entry and podcast versions can be found at www.INTRUTH.site
It is no big secret that God takes His time doing things (with patience) and that this often involves working things out through processes that He has, no doubt, designed to yield a just and perfect result every time. Ever wonder why God did not make the earth and everything therein in a split-second of time? He could have, right? But no, He chose to perform that work in 6 days, and then to rest. Why is that?
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The more we learn of the spiritual realm through His Word, we can also see how that God has no beginning or ending. Basically, time does not exist where God resides, yet He chooses to do things through patience. I am not sure that we can fully understand His patience in work from our vantage point, but it is clear that He does like things to be done a certain way. He definitely has His own methods. Doing things in a ‘methodical way’, over a period of time, is called a “process”.
1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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.
Repentance is for the Remission of Sins
Starting here in the Book of Mark, we find God’s Word reads:
Mark 1:1-5 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
What is “the Baptism of Repentance” for? It says it right there in this passage: “for the remission of sins.”
Ever here of someone having cancer? Awful thing to watch, right? But some people actually experience what is called “remission” of their cancer. What this simply means is that the cancer mass, or cancer cells are shrinking; or going away. Some individuals even “go into” remission, then later have a claim of being cancer-free. That means that the cells were digressing in growth and eventually shriveled up and died altogether.
Knowing this, God calls us to repentance, that we might be also found worthy of grace in His sight. If we do this God’s way, we will receive grace. His Grace will then work out a ‘treatment plan’ that has been authored by God through Our Lord Jesus Christ, within our life. This ‘treatment plan’ is to treat our sin infestation and eradicate it!
1 John 3:5 And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
First Things First
As was mentioned in the last lesson: when God draws us to Him, it will be through and/or by His Holy Word. We hear a little and it is either mixed with the faith that we already have (like believing that there is a higher power, or that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven), or we can also choose to disregard it. If we choose to believe what we have heard (such as the fact that all who come to God must repent), and we obey, we are essentially placing the ball back into God’s court. This is because real faith (proven by our works toward God) in Truth moves God in our lives.
Isaiah 28:9-10 Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little
The Baptism of Repentance
Assuming that we have godly sorrow and that our calling on God is truly authored by His Will (He knows our heart), we have now ‘kicked off’ the process of repentance in our life. Don’t worry about the word “process” for now; we will get to that in a bit. Just trust in God’s Word and He will not leave us hanging on there, or ‘stuck in the mud’ forever at the ‘start line’. He will rather then draw us a little closer with – you guessed it, more of Truth!
Above, the scripture tells us that “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
Now, I typically look up a lot of words in the dictionary to get more clarification and establish that we all understand what they mean. In this case, however, while doing so I noticed that the synonyms for the word “baptism” were very interesting, and probably tell us more of the story here pertaining to this passage than the mere definition of “baptism” does…
Synonyms for “baptism” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptism
We see, by these synonyms, that the word “baptism” can, very much be used in context meaning that we are “starting” something, or that we have commenced from the beginning of something; like “initiation”. Or, what about “starting to be included something”, like “induction”. In this case, we are acknowledging our repentance toward God publicly, through water baptism. We are being plunged under water, not with a bar of soap to wash our body, but it is a physical act, signifying our willingness to be washed by His Word (which “willingness” is our repentance).
Repentance is a Process within The Process of Salvation
Knowing the God-given truth of “repentance”, this finding proves to me that the water baptism that John, The Baptist was performing, which was and is called “The Baptism of Repentance”, when accompanied by an individual that is truly sorry for their sinful nature: is performed to initiate, start, or otherwise induct us into this “process” called “repentance”.
The water baptism itself is an outward expression of our willingness to take on the body of Christ and to lay day that old wretched life that we were born into this world with; again - a public witness of our repentance. The coinciding prayer and commitment to walk with God is something that we perform within our personal relationship with Him, usually prior to our consent to water baptism.
Here are some scriptures to back up things said thus far:
Hebrews 4:1-2 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
James 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 6:44-46 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Answers to the Questions You Might Have...
Is Repentance essential to Salvation
What do you think?
Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some that told Him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 3:19-20 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you
What does it really mean to Repent?
Repentance simply means to have a ‘wholesale’ or ‘complete’ change of heart towards someone, something, or some way. It involves shame, guilt, sorrow, regret, and remorse that is strong enough to cause a person to take firm action in seeking to correct the ‘wrong’ that they are guilty of.
Here is one example of repentance… it was when God repented that He had made man. What happened? He caused the earth to flood. It was His just wisdom that He put a stop to the corruption that mankind was guilty of in that day. Likewise, through God’s divine mercy, He also spared Noah and His family. Let’s read…
Genesis 6:5-8 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Evidently, Noah did not ‘fit in with the crowd’ of that day. As the Bible tells us, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Even so, God in His Goodness, made a promise to mankind that He would never destroy the entire earth again by water.
What about our repentance? What do we have to feel guilty or shamed of? -SIN. We are born with it and completely infested and over-whelmed by it in our natural state; before we come to God that is. You see, this world that we live in is corrupt. It caters to the desires of our flesh. The more that we fulfill the lust of our flesh, it fills our minds with the garbage that this world is more than polluted with. The result: we learn to love the world and the things that are in the world (sin) more and more. At some point, though, for many people, sin becomes not so fun anymore. If we are truly repentant, that we have led a life in sin, then we are willing to do whatever is necessary to change that.
Proverbs 13:14-15 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
How and Why are we calling “Repentance” a “Process”?
Many people, if you were to ask them if they want to be a millionaire, or want to have a million dollars – what do you suppose that their answer would be? Most likely, many would give a simple “yes”, correct? Some may be more diligent and ask, “what do I have to do?” This is not everyone. But many would, no doubt, give a simple “yes”.
So, they say “yes”, and you say, “Okay, just sign here.” Again – if you wave the cash in front of them, many will just grab the pen and ask what they are signing as they sign, right? What if the fine print stated, “I agree to give my body to science for 1 million dollars” – not a deal breaker for many, but what if right after that it said “tomorrow”?
The point being made here is that it is not in mankind’s nature to be so prudent that they ask deep questions and/or research about what they are getting into most times. Even if they were told, they may not understand the depth of a situation, if they have no experience in the subject matter? Well, serving God is no different! Don’t believe me?
How many “sinners” will attend a church this coming Sunday in the U.S. alone and be “persuaded” to go down to a church altar and ask God for forgiveness, having plans to do nothing more that go to church that day as part of being a “good person”, or to appease a friend or loved one that invited them? But, just that quick – with little or no explanation or deliberation and they have been ‘coaxed’ with an ‘opportunity’, down to the altar where they find themselves giving their heart (that is no doubt probably in a state of wordly sorrow) to God!
Okay, on the flip-side: if God has truly called them to repentance, they still might have not been prudent enough to count the costs of serving The One True Living God and Creator of This Universe. That is one of the reasons why “repentance” is a process. We must have a full understanding of what God expects before we can ever fully commit our lives to Him in truth.
Many times, if not most of the time, we must also understand a bit more about ourselves so that we have a full understanding of where we are in God’s sight, as well as some of the things that might be necessary for us to give up during our walk with Him. As things surface, we may be again faced with that choice: God or self?
As we draw closer and closer to Him through obedience, His Word exposes the things within us that we just may have not been able to see at first. You see, God knows our heart better than we do. We can only gain a deeper knowledge of what is truly within us through Him. Good thing for us that The Lord is honest and forthright… He will not completely enter into an agreement with us until He is sure that we understand what we are committing to!
Listen to what Jesus has to say about this:
Luke 14:26-33 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Staying the Course
We really have only 1 choice to make in this life that will really matter in the end – we either choose to believe and serve The Lord, or we choose to serve ourselves. The thing is that “Christians” will most likely be faced with a choice to continue on with our original decision made, or to turn back many times within the remainder of our life once we do repent. -Not that we regret our decision to serve God, but out of fears presented by the many obstacles we face in a true life of serving Christ.
We must be tempted, but if our relationship is founded upon the Truth of God’s Holy Word, we will together prevail! If we do continue on: eventually, we are sealed, sanctified, and these types of fears, temptations, and lusts have been overcome through our ever-growing faith in the Power of God’s Word.
The “Process of Repentance” therefore starts with our godly sorrow and our initial choice to ask for forgiveness, and ends when the process of salvation is complete. You see, “repentance” is our part of the equation in our relationship in Christ. Grace is the space that God creates within our lives that, we together with Him, we can overcome sin – this is His part. By continually choosing His Will in our lives daily, we obey His commandments. In doing so, His Love is perfected in our lives. With God’s love perfected in our lives, we have overcome this world. What is it that this world full of, and that we therefore need to overcome? -SIN
1 John 5:2-5 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
(Do you believe that Jesus is “The Son of God”? If you said “yes”, then you must also know and realize that a “Son of God” has no sin.)
Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
As the Spirit tells us though: we must endure to the end and overcome. We cannot sit down to take ‘sin’ breaks or drag our feet. What do I mean by this? Stay in God’s Word my friends. Bury your face – while your at it, bury your entire life, devoting it to God’s Word and you will learn His ways in Truth if you are sincere!
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalms 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Galatians 6:7-10 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 3:20-22 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
If the Lord will, next we will study “The Law of Sin and Death”. I hope, that by His grace, we can explore the things to come in a believer’s life, once we are truly repentant in the sight of God. Until then, may the Lord Bless the hearts and minds who have heard with the knowledge of Truth. Amen.
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
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