
Another Article from The Laodicean Pen
Dearly Beloved,
Recently, I found myself engaging in debate in one of the greatest formats and conversational platforms in the world – the YouTube comment section. Ah yes, the YouTube comments, know for producing sound theological discussions and being home to some of the most kindhearted people in the world!
In all seriousness, the conversation that I was having with a YouTuber was quite telling and has since prompted this article for your reading pleasure. What was so interesting you might ask – the conversation around the word repentance and what it means for salvation.
Repentance, an incredible word in the English language but a word often misunderstood, preached, or otherwise communicated. This was the case for my dear YouTuber friend. His argument was that there were those teaching a false gospel that consisted of in his opinion, not teaching that repentance was a changing of one’s actions.
Now dear reader, there are not many things that will drag me into the glorious world social media comment sections, but when I see someone blatantly misrepresenting the gospel, or accusing people I know and love of teaching a false gospel, I feel that it is my duty to engage, and counter argue this type of rhetoric. Rather than continue me retort and rebuttal to this man’s comments in YouTube, here I am presenting my arguments to you instead.
First, I will begin by stating that I believe, one hundred percent, that to teach a gospel where you infer, presume, assume or otherwise point to a repentance that must have a change in direction and/or action, it to teach a works-based gospel. You cannot believe in a “by grace, through faith” gospel and teach that repentance is a turning from sin. Pardon the tongue in cheek, but math doesn’t math- the positions contradict one another. For whatever reason my reformed friends seem to disagree, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why.
If it were possible for mankind to turn from his sin, then why was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ necessary at all? Why would we not just fall under the law and obey it for salvation? We know from Paul’s letter that Abraham was justified (made right before God) by his faith not by the law.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
- Romans 4:3
He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore is was imputed to him for righteousness. - Romans 4:20-22
I don’t have a Baptist catechism or confessional to back that up, but here is straight out of the scriptures. Hope it’s good enough.
Paul is clear here that Abrahams rightness with God came from his faith and trust in the promise of God- not a turning from sin. The word "believed" is the Greek word Ἐπίστευσεν which is a form of the Greek word πιστεύω which means to believe, to have faith, to trust. Here we see that Paul is teaching that righteousness before God is not equated with a turning from all known sin, but rather a belied or a trust in God.
Paul, who I believe we would agree is one of the greatest missionaries and champions of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in chapter 7 he writes:
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. - Romans 7:18,19
This does not appear to be a man that has turned from all known sin. Paul can see sin in his life and clearly points it out in the text. Furthermore, I believe that he is clearly pointing towards the fact that man cannot by himself, on his own, conquer sin. Paul is simply stating he is a flawed man, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, a man justified before God and is now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, walking the path of sanctification awaiting the time of his glorification in eternity.
If I can turn from my sin, would that not imply I could overcome sin on my own? This is the danger of teaching repentance is to turn from sin – you end up boxing salvation into a corner that looks a lot like a works-based gospel.
If you think salvation is by works, see below:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9
Second, to teach that repentance is to turn from sin, is to ignore Genesis 6:6.
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him in his heart.
- Genesis 6:6
So, if repentance means to turn from sin, you are telling me that God “turned from His sin” of making man? This is a dangerous position to have. And for the record, the word translated “repented” in Genesis 6 is the Hebrew word יְנַחֲמֵ֤נוּ (nacham) meaning to comfort, to relent, to be sorry, to repent, to sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge. It primarily conveys the idea of comfort and consolation, often in the context of grief or distress; but it can also carry the meaning of a change of mind, particularly in relation to God’s actions or decisions.
It's simple, repentance cannot mean to turn from sin. If this is what you teach, you are ignoring Genesis 6:6.
One last thing on Genesis 6:6. My YouTuber friend told me that this is clearly “anthropomorphic” language. I am not going to lie to you, I had to google that word and it means described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes. Ascribing human characteristics to human things.
If I am understanding right, to view this as anthropomorphic language would be to suggest that there isn’t a human word to describe how God, a supernatural being, was feeling.
I completely reject this idea. I believe we do have a word and it was used properly by the King James translators in Genesis 6:6…. unless you would like to debate with me the possibility that the KJV translators could’ve gotten a word wrong. (If you know, you know.)
Thirdly, I would humbly submit to you what I believe repentance means. Repentance is a change of mind that should result in a change of actions.
Now the word “should” is the key word in my statement. I do not believe that repentance for salvation always results in a change in behavior – and again, I think this is where I lose a lot of people so I will do my best to explain using Biblical examples.
Example One: The thief on the cross.
We all know this story. Jesus is hanging on the cross and there were two other men hanging as well. One man looked at Jesus and said,
If thou be the Christ save us – Luke 23:39
And the other man said,
Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss…. Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. – Luke 23:40-42
Again, we all know the story and Jesus reply,
…To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. – Luke 23:43
A very simply story with an amazing ending – a thief getting saved at death and getting confirmation of his salvation from the Savior Himself. Now I ask you this simply question:
Did the thief on the cross have the opportunity to change his actions? The answer is simply, don’t fight it, it’s easy. No. He died on that cross having put his faith in the One hanging next to him.
Example Two: Every passage on church discipline ever.
Hear me out! If true saving repentance was a change in mind always resulting in a change of action, then why did Paul write 1 Corinthians? Why are there verses about how to deal with believers who are in sin? Why are there verses about how to “get back right” as a believer? If we are “truly” repentant our actions will change, won’t they?
People keep telling me that repentance is a turning from sin, but also at the same time they say they don’t believe in sinless perfection. Brother how? That position is contradictory.
Once we are saved, we have the power of the Holy Spirit given to us to deal with sin in our life. This would not be necessary if we had the ability to “turn from our sin”. I was also told that I didn’t understand what I was arguing against, and maybe that’s a fair assessment because what I am being told by people that hold to this wacky view of repentance is not making sense biblically -so let me try to persuade you one more way.
Metanoia. The Greek word for repentance in several places in scripture. Here are just a few.
And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. – Luke 5:32
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations beginning in Jerusalem. – Luke 24:47
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God, - Hebrews 6:1
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9
The Greek word metanoia means the changing of one’s mind. This is the repentance necessary for salvation in Christ Jesus. We are born sinners as the Bible says, and we all have a way that seems right to us in our own eyes. We must change our mind, or in other words come to a saving knowledge of Jesus our Lord.
This is and has always bean, Biblical repentance- a changing of ones mind that should result in a change of action/direction.
Sincerely,
Ryan H.
A Laodicean who is trying…
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