In a previous post we learned that confession of sin is not required for the forgiveness of sin, but is important for maintaining our fellowship with God, and with one another (1 John 1:7-10).
What about repentance?
Several passages in Scripture seem to indicate that repentance is necessary to receive the forgiveness of sins.
For example, in Luke 3:3 we read that John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Does this teach that forgiveness is dependent upon repenting and being baptized?
Yes and no.
Part of the difficulty with the word “forgiveness” is that modern English speakers have put a slightly different twist on the word than how people would have understood the equivalent Greek or Hebrew words in the Scriptures when they were written.
“Forgiveness” doesn’t mean exactly the same thing it did 2000 years ago.
The word “forgiveness” today describes a vague, psychological state that exists within the mind of a person. It is kind of like peace or joy. These exist, but they are primarily mental states of being.
Forgiveness = Release
The word “forgiveness” comes from the Greek word aphesis. In a previous post about the two kinds of forgiveness, we saw that while aphesis can be translated as “forgiveness,” it is closer to something like “liberty,” “freedom,” or “release.” It is used of the release of captives and slaves, of the cancellation of debt, or even of divorce (LXX: Isa 61:1; Jer 34:8-17; Ezek 46:17; Matt 6:12; Matt 13:36).
So when New Testament authors write about repentance for the forgiveness of sins, they have in mind the cancellation of debt or the release of a slave from captivity to sin. See my sermon “What is Repentance?”
Therefore, repentance for the forgiveness of sins has nothing to do with gaining eternal life and entering heaven, but about freedom from the captivating and addictive power of sin.
The Purpose of Repentance
God wants us to admit that we have sinned, and deal with it, not because sin is a big issue with God, but because He sees how much sin is hurting and damaging us.
God wants us to repent of our sin so that we can be liberated from it, and released from its addictive power in our lives.
Sin damages us, and God reveals our sin to us, not so that He can threaten us with hell if we do not confess and repent, but so that by agreeing with Him that we have sinned (confession), and taking steps to move in the opposite direction (repentance), we can be released (forgiven) from any sin that holds sway over our lives.
Do you fear that you have committed the Unforgivable Sin?
Fear not! You are forgiven. You are loved.
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From what I have come to realize is that my Sin before my faith in Christ is irrelevant, not even part of the Salvation message. What is the subject of the Salvation message is really … Solely do I want eternal life or not. IF I do, what must I do to receive it – John 6:47 Period! But after I gain eternal life, my idea as I walk with God daily.. is I maintain a close relationship with Him.. I practice 1 John 1:9, daily if I know I have offended God. I can elaborate on that if you want me to.
Right! Repentance is more of a fellowship issue than anything else. Repentance can lead to receiving eternal life, but is not a condition for it.
Exactly! ‘Forgive them Father for they know not what they do’. Christ forgave them all but it does mean that everyone present received eternal life.
I love that. He forgave those who didn’t even know they were sinning. In fact, they thought they were obeying God by crucifying Him!
I had never stopped to think about this question, but you are so correct. Repentance actually lets go of the sin and its control over us. Yes! This explains why people can receive Christ and forgiveness without ever bearing any fruit.
Right. Repentance is so critical to help us turn from sin and the power it has in our lives, as well as helping us avoid the devastating consequences of sin.
“God wants us to admit that we have sinned, and deal with it, not because sin is a big issue with God, but because He sees how much sin is hurting and damaging us.” Do you mean that forgiveness is automatic ? How does God judge us if not on the basis of sin ? Surely you are not suggesting that all people will go to heaven ?
Makes absolutely 100% sense. He reveals our sins to us, because sin harms us
this wreaks of universalism
Matthew and Paul, that’s a good objection and a good concern. No, I am not a universalist. But yes, forgiveness is automatic and universal. Well, “positional” forgiveness is anyway. Fellowship forgiveness requires repentance and confession. This post explains more: https://redeeminggod.com/two-kinds-of-forgiveness/
What keeps a person out of heaven is not unforgiven sin, but a lack of divine righteousness. One can be fully forgiven of all their sin, but still not have the righteousness of God. We receive the righteousness of God by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
I hold that Jesus does not give us permanent righteousness. We are righteous when we do right in all things. But we are Human and we stumble. God sends His Spirit to us in part to aid us as we seek our righteousness. We cannot reach it alone and it is not a one time gift.
the correct term is imputed righteousness we arethe righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and he indwells those who are saved and never leaves us no matter what but my objecction is to the article where itsays God has already forgiven everybdy no he has not because if he did everyone everywhere would be serving him and loving God
Then we are covered (so to speak) by His righteousness, not our own.
EXACTLY
ANOTHER TERM THAT RELAtES CLOSELY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS IS JUSTIFICATION which is when God sovereignly declares the sinner no longer guilty because of Jesus death on the cross practically we may sin and do sin everyday but as we grow in the truth knowlege of the Lord and are conformed to the image of his son which is sanctification we reject the sinful desires of the flesh and desire more and more the desires of God and what He wantsfor our lives
Paul, I do not believe that universal forgiveness and imputed righteousness are the same thing. One can be fully forgiven, but not have the imputed righteousness of Christ.
Furthermore, full forgiveness does not mean that people will change their behavior. Otherwise, why would Jesus instruct us to forgive not just 7 times, but 70 times 7 (unlimited)?
A few days back there was a video of a former porn star and how she was saved from her lifestyle and how she found that God loved her. The disturbing thing was some had posted and vilivied her for not being enough ‘sackcloth and ashes’ repentance. Some to the point of ‘shes not saved’ ‘false conversion’.
I shake my head…we always will have the scribes…the pharisees.
Jeremy, I agree with you that all have been forgiven, but not all have received eternal life. I put it this way….God has already forgiven me but I must receive that forgiveness. There are many Christians who carry shame and guilt because they have not yet received God’s forgiveness even though he has forgiven them. Just as I am required to forgive those who have offended me (whether they repent or not), I believe God sets the example of that for us.
Actually, repentance is a requirement. Jesus’ first sermon was “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand”. In Acts 2:37-38 Peter’s first sermon in response when the people asked, “What must we do”. He replied that they must repent. 2 Cor. 7:10 there is a godly sorrow that produces a repentance that leads to salvation”.
I’m looking for Scriptural answers when it comes to our relationships with other people. My mother is abusive and has been all of my life. She could probably be described as a narcissist.
I have forgiven my mother and hope for a restoration of relationship with her, but it seems like it would be foolish to do that as long as her behavior is the same, and there is no acknowledgment of the things she’s done.
I end up beating myself up thinking that I should just ignore what she’s doing and overlook it because she is my mother, and Scripture says I should honor her.
If I could nail down God’s expectations of me from His Word, it would be a relief.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
Without repentance the relationship with God is damaged. Jesus is the One who determines who enters heaven. If your relationship is damaged Jesus may say “I never knew you” and you cannot enter Heaven. Entrance into heaven requires a relationship (belief) with Jesus Christ. (Matthew 7:21-23).
Yes, entrance into heaven requires a relationship with God, which is initiated through faith in Jesus Christ. But Matthew 7:21-23 is not talking about this. The Sermon on the Mount is all about how to be a disciple or follower of Jesus. It is not about how to gain eternal life. See this discussion: https://redeeminggod.com/sermon-on-the-mount-kent-young/
That is not what the Sermon on the Mount is about…the Sermon on the Mount is not something we can try to do, it’s a result of those Dispositions characteristic of a child of God have been born from above and their relationship to the world.
I see where you are going but I feel that the language is confusing. Forgiveness is available like a check being handed to you. However you must reach out and take that check for it to be yours. Repentance is the act of reaching out and taking that check. There can be no salvation/justification without that crucial action. Repentance is acknowledging the truth about about your sin and agreeing with God that what you were doing was contrary and therefore disobedient. It is admitting to yourself and God and that you deserve death and Hell. It is understanding that only because of His sacrifice on the cross and victory over death that you can be forgiven.
Yes, forgiveness is always available, God’s grace is always available, but neither are automatic. His righteousness becomes our righteousness when we put on Christ by an act of our will to receive His forgiveness on His terms. This is what salvation is. This is what conversion is. Of course people come to this in many ways and probably most of the time with an incomplete theological understanding as I did. However, the truth remains that without repentance, there is no salvation.
I think you’re confusing forgiveness with the offer of eternal life, and also confusing faith with repentance. Accepting the free gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus for it is not the same thing as repenting of sin or recognizing that we have been forgiven by God.
Thank you for that. If forgiveness is release then who releases us from the power of sin? I assume Jesus, but the work of repentance comes by our very actions.
And if forgiveness and repentance is not about eternal salvation, and we have been given a new life out from the power of sin and death then what are we still dealing with.
I have grown to long confusing sin with eternal life.
A person can pray to be forgiven & have salvation. Yet never open a bible or hear the word taught & avoid churh or bible studies. Never get to know the character of the Father son or Holy Spirit , continues in habitual sins of the past , even though they hurt themselves & everyone they know & they will still go to heaven. Just having fire insurance still allows that person eternity in heaven?