{"id":8361,"date":"2011-02-21T21:42:54","date_gmt":"2011-02-21T21:42:54","guid":{"rendered":"\/Jerri's-Blog\/The-Importance-of-Repentance.aspx"},"modified":"2014-04-20T02:34:50","modified_gmt":"2014-04-20T02:34:50","slug":"the-importance-of-repentance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hisriches.com\/the-importance-of-repentance\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Repentance"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE<\/a>
\nWHAT IS REPENTANCE<\/a>
\nTHE EXAMPLE OF SAMSON<\/a>
\nTHE EXAMPLE OF JACOB<\/a>
\nTHE EXAMPLE OF JOSEPH’S BROTHERS<\/a><\/p>\n

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THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE<\/a><\/p>\n

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Repentance is a major emphasis throughout the Bible. It is mandatory for salvation.<\/p>\n

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Repentance is necessary for sin to be taken away. In the Old Testament sin was atoned for by continually offering blood sacrifices to God. After Jesus died on the cross it is no longer necessary to make sacrifices. His blood paid the penalty of our sins once and for all: 
\n“…we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10<\/strong>, 12<\/strong> Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. Repentance is to “fear him”<\/strong><\/em>:
\n“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

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John the Baptist preached almost exclusively repentance as the way to getting ready for the coming of Jesus (Matthew 3:1-2 Mark 1:4 Luke 1:16-17<\/strong>, 3:1-20 Acts 13:24 19:4<\/strong>). Jesus reaffirmed what John preached:
\n“Repent for the kingdom of God has come near.” Matthew 4:17 Mark 1:15
\n“…But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:5
\n“for John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” Luke 21:31-32 <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nWHAT IS REPENTANCE?<\/a><\/p>\n

\nThe World Book Dictionary<\/em> defines “repent”: “to feel sorry for having done wrong and seek forgiveness” which is not exactly the biblical definition of repentance. Vine’s Expository Dictionary<\/em> (which defines biblical words) explains that repentance comes from the words meta<\/em>, after, implying change, noeo<\/em>, to perceive and nous, the mind, the seat of moral reflection. It “signifies to change one’s mind or purpose, always in the New Testament involving a change for the better.”<\/p>\n

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“What kind of repentance saves? Not a sorrow for sins or even a sorrow that results in cleaning up one’s life. People who reform have repented; that is, they have changed their minds about their past lives, but that kind of repentance, albeit genuine, does not of itself save them. The only kind of repentance that saves is a change of mind about Jesus Christ. People can weep; people can resolve to turn from their past sins; but those things in themselves cannot save. The only kind of repentance that saves anyone, anywhere, anytime is a change of mind about Jesus Christ. The sense of sin and sorrow because of sin may stir up a person’s mind or conscience so that he or she realizes the need for a Savior, but if there is no change of mind about Jesus Christ, there will be no salvation” (Charles Ryrie, So Great Salvation<\/em>, pp. 94-95).<\/p>\n

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Repentance means to change one’s mind about who Jesus is. Repentance is believing in Jesus (See John 1:50 4:48 6:29<\/strong>, 64 9:35 10:25 12:36-37<\/strong>,44 14:1 16:31 17:20 20:31 Acts 15:11 16:31 19:4 Romans 3:22 4:24 10:9 Galatians 3:22 1 Thessalonians 4:14 1 Timothy 1:16 1 John 3:23<\/strong>) or putting faith in Jesus or,  during Old Testament time, having faith in the One True God (of which Jesus is the Son):
\n“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrew 11:1-2
\n“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Jesus regarded this change as being so significant that it was like being “born again”<\/strong><\/em>:
\n“I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God…” John 3:3, 5<\/strong> A man must come to know God and have a renewed mind:
\n“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9<\/strong> If he has a renewed mind (“believe in your heart”) he will tell others (“confess with your mouth”<\/strong><\/em>) and will come to know God as his Father (“will be saved”<\/strong><\/em>).<\/p>\n

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The Apostle Paul considered the person who had come to know Jesus as a “new creation”<\/strong><\/em>:
\n‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17<\/strong><\/p>\n

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However, if we define sin as disobeying God, repentance implies sorrow for sin and turning away from sin. Some people, especially children, do not understand sin when they come to believe in Jesus. Yet when there is repentance, it will be evident. They will begin to love Jesus and worship and praise Him and, with guidance, understand good and evil from His perspective.<\/p>\n

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Jesus loves us so much He accepts us just as we are:
\n“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
\n<\/strong>Yet He loves us so much He will not leave us in our sins:
\n“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13
\n<\/strong>Being sorry for our sins often “brings repentance that leads to salvation”. The Apostle Paul said:
\n“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation…” 2 Corinthians 7:10<\/strong> Being sorry for sin can lead us to a faith in Jesus, or, if we already have faith in Jesus, it can lead to changing to become like Him:
\n“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” Romans 8:29
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

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King Solomon defines repentance when he asked God to forgive His people:
\n“…if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, `We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul…” 1 Kings 8:47-48 2 Chronicles 6:37-38<\/strong> They would be accepted if they changed their minds to repent by acknowledging their sin and pleading for forgiveness and turning back to God “with all their heart and soul”<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

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A connection between having faith in Jesus and an acknowledgement of sins is also shown by John the Baptist:
\n“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4
\n“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Luke 3:3
\n“Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” Acts 19:4<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A clear, simple example of repentance and salvation is the thief on the cross:
\n“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
\nBut the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
\nThen he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
\nJesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”” Luke 23:39-43
\n<\/strong>The robber (Matthew 27:38<\/strong>) recognized that he had offended God: “Don’t you fear God”<\/strong><\/em>.
\nHe recognized his sin: “we are getting what our deeds deserve”<\/strong><\/em>.
\nHe recognized that he was being punished justly: “We are punished justly”<\/strong><\/em>.
\nHe realized that Jesus had done nothing wrong: “this man has done nothing wrong”<\/strong><\/em>.
\nHe realized that Jesus could save him (believed in Him) and acted to ask forgiveness: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”<\/strong><\/em>.
\nJesus, who sees the heart, forgave him: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

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Repentance resulting in salvation is a chance of direction. Instead of going towards hell, one turns and goes toward heaven. Instead of going toward evil, one goes toward good. Instead of going toward foolishness, one goes toward wisdom. Instead of going toward the devil’s way, one goes toward God’s way.<\/p>\n

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The thief only had time to believe in Jesus and acknowledge his sin. Otherwise he had no time to show a change in his actions, but he had changed direction and so would have changed his actions if he had lived.<\/p>\n

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When we change our mind we will change our actions:
\n“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.  You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
\nIn the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2: 19-26<\/strong> Demons definitely believe in Jesus, but there is no desire to forsake sin or follow Him or to worship and praise Him.<\/p>\n

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The Apostle Paul reveals the relationship between a change or heart and actions. Actions prove repentance:
\n“…I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:20
\n<\/strong>(However, if one changes his actions without changing his mind there will be no lasting change of any significance. There can be no salvation because there is no change of heart.)
\n <\/p>\n

John emphasized fruit (actions that come from repentance):
\n“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3:8<\/strong> (See also Matthew 3:7-10<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

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Jesus (as John did) especially condemns the Pharisees and Sadducees— religious leaders who had a great deal of influence. They were hypocrites, and their lack of genuine fruit caused even those who would believe to turn away:
\n“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:8
\n“…You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” Matthew 23:13<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Jesus speaks a great deal about the importance of bearing fruit:
\n“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Matthew 12:33-35<\/strong> (See also Matthew 7:16-20<\/strong>, 21:43-44 Luke 6:43-45<\/strong>, Luke 13:6-10<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

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One of Jesus’ most profound passages concerns our fruit–actions, the result of our belief in Him:
\n“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
\nI am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples…I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:2-8<\/strong>, 16<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Paul explains exactly what our actions as believers in Jesus should be:
\n“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24 <\/strong>Our nature is changed, which produces a change in actions—we have been given the Holy Spirit:
\n“…Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1:13<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Paul prays we will be:
\n“filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11
\nJesus is called “…The Lord Our Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:6
\n<\/strong>We have His nature–by obeying Him we have the "fruit of righteousness.
\nPaul prays we will be:
\n“…bearing fruit in every good work…” Colossians  1:10-14<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The author of Hebrews <\/strong>reveals that we can’t even offer praise to God unless we are His children:
\n“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Hebrews 13:15<\/strong><\/p>\n

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James explains fruit:
\n“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A change of mind is also important concerning specific sins. For instance, if you stop smoking, but still are always wishing you could smoke, you are apt to revert back to smoking. You must hate smoking:
\n“To fear the Lord is to hate evil…” Proverbs 8:13<\/strong> Ask God to help you hate your sin.<\/p>\n

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Sometimes the only way to get rid of a sin is to experience the consequences. Thank goodness the Lord:
\n"disciplines those he loves." Proverbs 3:12 Hebrews 12:6<\/strong><\/p>\n

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THE EXAMPLE OF SAMSON<\/a><\/p>\n

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Samson is an example of someone whom the Lord loved and had to discipline. Samson had been set apart to God from birth (Judges 13:5<\/strong>. 7,<\/strong> 25<\/strong>). The Spirit of the Lord had come upon him in power several times in his fight against the Philistines (Judges 14:6<\/strong>, 19<\/strong>; 15:14<\/strong>, 19<\/strong>). <\/p>\n

However, Samson had a major failing. He liked Philistine women. The Lord had commanded the Israelites not to marry foreign women (Exodus 34:15-16 Deuteronomy 7:1-4 Judges 3:4-5<\/strong>). Samson did not seem to think the Lord meant what He said. He planned to marry a Philistine woman (Judges 14-15:8<\/strong>), visited a Philistine prostitute–probably one example of several instances (Judges 16:1-3<\/strong>)–and, finally, fell in love with Delilah (Judges 16:4-22<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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The Philistine rulers went to Delilah and said they would pay eleven hundred shekels of silver, an extraordinary generous payment, if she could lure Samson into telling her the secret of his great strength. After several tries she succeeded. Because Samson had taken himself out from under the Lord’s protection he fell for what should have been obvious: "So he told her everything. ‘No razor has ever been used on my head,’ he said, because I have been a Nazirite, set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man." Judges 16:17<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called in a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair. When she called that the Philistines were upon him, he awoke from his sleep and thought that he would shake himself free as he had done before: "…But he did not know that the Lord had left him." Judges 16:20<\/strong><\/p>\n

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"A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy." Proverbs 29:1<\/strong> Samson was in this situation. God had to punish him severely. The Philistine rulers seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him to Gaza, a Philistine city where he had displayed great strength, to grind corn.<\/p>\n

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God planned his physical punishment as a spiritual blessing. Samson spent many hours alone grinding flour. God had Samson in a place where all he could do was think about why he had lost his strength and sight: “But the hair on his head began to grow…” Judges 16:22 <\/strong>His hair was the symbol of his relationship with God and the power of God. If he had not been a true child of God, he would have chosen to curse God, but instead, His relationship to God, like his hair, began to grow.<\/p>\n

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The Philistine rulers assembled to offer a great sacrifice to their god, Dagon, because he had delivered Samson into their hands. When they brought Samson out to "entertain" them, they stood him among the pillars that supported a temple crowded with men and women. Then Samson prayed to the Lord: "O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." Judges 16:28<\/strong> <\/p>\n

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Bracing himself against the two pillars and pushing with all his might, he said, "Let me die with the Philistines." Judges16:30<\/strong> He came back into the anointing of God in such strength that: “…he killed many more when he died than while he lived.” Judges 16:30<\/strong> Discipline brought Samson into a closer relationship with God than he had ever been. He brought more glory to God in his death than his life. Samson was brought to repentance because of suffering.<\/p>\n

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Jesus said: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” Revelation 3:19<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nUnlike Samson, we should avoid sin. And when we do sin, we need to confess:
\n“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Also, we must avoid the appearance of evil–anyone comfortable in the atmosphere of sin is suspect as to whether or not there has been true repentance. We can’t always tell for sure if someone is a Christian, but we should be able to discern more and more.<\/p>\n

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We should avoid situations that give an opportunity to sin unless specifically called by God to do otherwise–for instance, going into a bar unless called to hand out tracks. True repentance is shown by a change in actions.<\/p>\n

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A change of mind is evident when we stop the habit of sin. Sometimes a believer may occasionally fall into sin, but God is working in them to change. Paul said:
\n“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 
\n<\/strong> <\/p>\n

We should:
\n“be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18<\/strong> and, if there is an opportunity, restore such a person:
\n“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth, and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20<\/strong><\/p>\n

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King David realized immediately after Nathan rebuked him (2 Samuel 12<\/strong>) the enormity of his sin. He had committed adultery and murder (see 2 Samuel 11<\/strong>). He repented (changed his mind) to the depth of his soul. That is why God calls him a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” Psalm 51:4-6<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…”<\/strong><\/em> We need to realize how much sin hurts God, whether it is hurting our body, which He lovingly created to be the temple of His Holy Spirit, or is hurting other people whom He loved so much He died to pay the penalty for their sins. God is the Judge we will stand before someday–how much better to confess and forsake our sins now. <\/p>\n

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To realize the perfection of God’s laws, to see the absolute wisdom and fairness in His commands is a powerful motivator. No one can stand before God and accuse Him of being unfair: “…so that you may be proved right when you speak and justified when you judge…”<\/strong><\/em> In fact, His mercy and grace allow Him to be more than fair:
\n“He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:9-10<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me…”<\/strong><\/em> We were all born with a sinful nature (Romans 7<\/strong>). Only by giving God control of our lives can we hope to overcome: “the sin which so easily entangles…”  Hebrews 12:1<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”<\/strong><\/em> God does not just want an outward change; He wants a change deep within. That is the only way there will be a lasting change. Obviously, David had changed deep in his soul. Perhaps he, in pride, had felt that, as king, he had a right to any woman in his kingdom. He did not have respect and love for his men or for women. He changed in many ways as we all do when faced with challenging times in our lives. Most of all, he now had a deep respect for God and His laws.<\/p>\n

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The Apostle Paul gives a complete explanation of the result of repentance:
\n"…Your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 <\/strong><\/p>\n

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This could be interpreted that a person who is truly repentant has an earnestness to acknowledge his guilt to God; an eagerness to rid himself of sin; indignation that he could have done such a thing; alarm, longing and concern for the consequences of his sin to God, others and himself; and a readiness to see justice done—to do what he can to right the wrong. Like King David, they agree with God on the enormity of their sin. They desire to do something about it by seeking God and His solution.<\/p>\n

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Remorse is repentance without Jesus. Judas Iscariot was so sorry he had betrayed Jesus that he hung himself. He was remorseful, but he didn’t ask Jesus for forgiveness. Genuine repentance is the process (usually a process) of cleansing and inner transformation—becoming holy:
\n“for as it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” Leviticus 11:44<\/strong>, 45<\/strong>; 19:2<\/strong>, 20<\/strong>:7<\/strong> 1 Peter 1:16 <\/strong>It is much more than feelings of guilt or just being sorry for our transgressions as important as that is.<\/p>\n

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James gives another good definition of repentance:
\n"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:7-10<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When a person humbles himself, God will forgive. God even forgave the wicked king, Ahab, when he humbled himself, though it was not a lasting repentance. The Lord told Elijah:
\n“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” 1 Kings 21:29<\/strong><\/p>\n

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God forgave the horrible sins of Manasseh, king of Judah, when he humbled himself: 
\n“In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so that he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God…He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the LORD, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 33:12-13<\/strong>, 15-16<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This was a lasting repentance–Manasseh had changed.<\/p>\n

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THE EXAMPLE OF JACOB<\/a><\/p>\n

God took many years to work out the repentance of Jacob, although his actual repentance took place in a short time. Jacob came from a rich heritage. Isaac, Jacob’s father, had submitted when his father Abraham was going to sacrifice him as a burnt offering. God showed Abraham a ram caught in the thicket to sacrifice instead, but Abraham and Isaac had passed the test and proved their faith in God (Genesis 22:1-19<\/strong>). Rebekah, Jacob’s mother, had left her homeland to marry a man she had never seen because she knew it was God who had arranged her marriage (Genesis 24<\/strong>) She was a woman of kindness and courage.<\/p>\n

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However, their marriage had deteriorated. Isaac did not have discernment and favored his older son, Esau (Genesis 25:28<\/strong>), who cared nothing for God. Rebekah, who was told that the older would serve the younger before her sons were born (Genesis 25:21-26<\/strong>), used deception in order to have Jacob get the blessing which should have gone to the firstborn (Genesis 27<\/strong>). Jacob (whose name meant “deceives”) had already manipulated Esau out of his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34<\/strong>), although Esau HAD sold his birthright to Jacob showing how unimportant it was to him.<\/p>\n

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Now Jacob had to escape Esau’s planned revenge (Genesis 27:41-28:5). He had to flee to his uncle Laban, his mother’s brother. Rebekah, for her part in the deception, pronounced a curse on herself and died without seeing Jacob again. On his way there, God appeared to him and reaffirmed the covenant He had made with Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 28:10-22).<\/p>\n

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Laban deceived Jacob into taking his older daughter, Leah, as a wife along with his younger daughter, Rachel, whom Jacob loved (Genesis 29:14-30<\/strong>). Now Jacob learned how it felt to be a victim of deception. This deception caused years of unhappy struggling between the two sisters (Genesis 29:30-30:24<\/strong>) compounded by Jacob’s favoring Rachel and her children, a sin from which he seemed never to have repented.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This time was also fraught with the struggle between Laban and Jacob over the wages Laban was to give Jacob who was caring for his sheep (Genesis 30:25-43<\/strong>). Here again Jacob resorted to superstition and deception in order to get his way. However, God blessed Jacob because of His covenant and perhaps because of Laban’s greater wickedness. Jacob acknowledged that blessing (Genesis 31:42<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God told Jacob to return to his native land. Leah and Rachel confirmed his choice, and Jacob left without telling Laban (Genesis 31:1-21<\/strong>). Laban pursued Jacob. However, God intervened and they made a treaty and each went on his way (Genesis 31:22-55<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now Jacob had to face his brother Esau whom he learned was coming with 400 men. He sent his family and peace offerings on ahead and spent the night in prayer. He had not realized the seriousness of his deceiving nature:
\n“Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.” Proverbs 14:2<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It must have been confusing. Deception had seemingly worked for him. Because of deceit in his heart he secured the birthright that should have been Esau’s. Under his mother’s influence, he had used deception to secure God’s blessing. Later, it appeared deception worked to increase his flocks. It is like the child who steals candy from the store without getting caught and is rewarded by his friends’ appreciation. Deception seems to work.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now he had to deal with the fact that this evil was coming upon him because of his deception. God had to deal with him. That night was a major night of repentance when Jacob wrestled with God. God changed his name from Jacob (deceives) to Israel (which means “he struggles with God") because he had struggled with God (and with his sin nature) and had overcome (Genesis 32:28<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Esau came in peace, one of many blessings that were a result of his repentance:
\n"When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7<\/strong> Jacob (now Israel) was no longer a deceiver, but the father of many nations, a man who wrestled with God in prayer and won.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The one night of prayer was a climax for Jacob. He was changed from being a deceiver to trusting in God for his help. No sin is so ingrained that God, with our permission, cannot change us:
\n“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13<\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/strong>Notice that this statement, written by Paul (God’s words to us) is written to Christians (“my dear friends”<\/strong><\/em>) who try to obey, asking forgiveness when they fail (“have always obeyed”<\/strong><\/em>). It shows they have respect for God (“work out your salvation with fear and trembling”<\/strong><\/em>) and allow God to work in them (“God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose”<\/strong><\/em>).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jacob had won over his sin nature and Satan when he had wrestled to obey God.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Satan has been given the legal right to control our lives in areas where there is no repentance:
\n“…the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19<\/strong> We are open to curses–the curse of God because of disobedience and any curse that an evil force wants to put upon us.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However, no curse can come upon us unless there is sin:
\n“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.” Proverbs 26:2<\/strong> Satan does not have the right to harm us when we obey the Lord, when we repent of sin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Besides the ongoing consequences of sin, God will not answer prayer in portions of a person’s life until there is repentance:
\n“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;” Psalm 66:18 <\/strong>Probably unanswered prayer is the consequence of spiritual or physical laws–for instance, a person praying for a good marriage yet indulging in pornography or a person, a person praying for the salvation of his children while giving them cursed money (money acquired dishonestly) or a person praying to be healed of diabetes and yet eating a diet full of sweets.
\nOften we can’t see the consequences of our actions so we should pray for God forgive us and expose any sin that has hindered our prayers:
\n“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me…” Psalm 19:12-13<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sometimes a whole nation’s fate can depend on repentance:
\n“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 God always answers prayer of sincere repentance:
\n“…Give ear to my prayer– it does not arise from deceitful lips. “ Psalm 17:1<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To repent of any sin is to change our mind about that sin. We need to realize how much sin harms God, others and ourselves; we need to place blame where it belongs–ourselves; and we need to change our actions in order to give proof to God, others and ourselves of the sincerity of our repentance. When we have done that, God will freely forgive. Then we can accept His forgiveness and give Him praise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We can ask forgiveness and repent anytime:
\n“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him…” Psalm 103:8-11<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE EXAMPLE OF JOSEPH’S BROTHERS<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph was the favorite son of his father Jacob. That was one of the reasons his brothers hated him. Another reason was his dream:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Genesis 37:6-11<\/strong>
\n“He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
\nHis brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
\nThen he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”
\nWhen he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” Genesis 37:6-11<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the brothers had been gone a long time tending the sheep, Jacob sent Joseph to look for them.<\/p>\n

Genesis 37:19-35
\n““Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
\nWhen Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
\nSo when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
\nAs they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.
\nJudah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.
\nSo when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[b] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
\nWhen Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”
\nThen they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”
\nHe recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”
\nThen Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him.” Genesis 37:19-35<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joseph was in Egypt several years. He trusted and obeyed God despite the circumstances. Because of the gift of being able to interpret dreams which God had given him, he was put in charge of all Egypt, the largest empire in the world at that time.  He had interpreted Pharaoh’s dream correctly that there would be seven years of plenty followed seven years of famine. The famine was severe in other countries outside Egypt, also.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Genesis 42: 3-24
\nJacob sent “…ten of Joseph’s brothers…to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him…
\nNow Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.
\n   “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
\nAlthough Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
\n“No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”
\n“No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
\nBut they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”
\nJoseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” And he put them all in custody for three days.
\nOn the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
\nThey said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”
\nReuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
\nHe turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again…”
\nGenesis 42: 3-24<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After keeping Simeon, one of the ten brothers, as a hostage Joseph let the others go back to Canaan telling not to return to Egypt unless they brought their youngest brother with them. Jacob finally let them take the youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt to get grain because the famine was so severe. When they left Joseph had his silver drinking cup planted in Benjamin’s bag of grain and sent his servant to bring the brothers back to Egypt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Genesis 44:16-34
\n““What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”
\nBut Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.”
\nThen Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ And we answered, ‘We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’
\n“Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.’ And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.’ But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.
\n“Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy a little more food.’ But we said, ‘We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’
\n“Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. One of them went away from me, and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since. If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.’
\n“So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’
\n“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.” Genesis 44:16-34<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Genesis 45:1-15
\n“Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers… Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
\nThen Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
\n“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
\n“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
\nThen he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.”
\nGenesis 45:1-15<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The brothers changed their mind about their sin. They realized bad things were happening to them because of their sin, and they wished they hadn’t sinned. For many years they had had to see the suffering of their father who believed Joseph was dead. Now it was brought to a climax. Perhaps Simeon, probably the chief instigator (Jacob had this to say in his final words to his sons: “Simeon and Levi are brothers…Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury, so cruel!…” Genesis 49:5-7<\/strong>—referring to another offense, but showing their character) had to spend time in an Egyptian prison to repent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I wish I could say I was like Joseph, but I and probably most of us are like Judah. It takes a lot to make us come to repentance, not necessarily in admitting we are sinners, but in changing our minds about specific sins—enough to make us stop sinning in that particular way. But the wonderful thing is that out of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah was the ancestor of Jesus. Maybe this is because he is like most of us. His name means praise. And Joseph’s unconditional forgiveness of his brothers demonstrates Jesus unconditional forgiveness of us.<\/p>\n

First we must realize we have sinned:
\n"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
\n<\/strong>Then we must confess and forsake our sin:
\n“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 <\/strong>Then God will forgive us and purify us.
\n <\/p>\n

If we forsake our sin and are faithful to Him, God will reward us in some way, even if it is the peace and joy of being close to Him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We would consider Job a very righteous man, but Job said after God spoke to him:
\n“Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:6 He had realized the power and holiness of God.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God gave Job twice what he had before his suffering and repentance. Notice that men that really obeyed God like Daniel, Joseph (both in the OT and Mary’s husband), Paul and John were given visions and dreams and the ability to interpret them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

God says to the unbeliever, but it could apply to the believer:
\n“Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.” Proverbs 1:23 <\/strong>Holy people hear from God.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Holy people can be God’s spokespeople:
\n“Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman…” Jeremiah 15:19<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Holy people will not give the devil a foothold to destroy them in any way:
\n“…I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” Ezekiel 18:30<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Holy people will be refreshed from the Lord:
\n“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pray Psalm 19:7-14<\/strong> often:
\n“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
\nMay these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:7-14<\/strong><\/p>\n

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THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE WHAT IS REPENTANCE THE EXAMPLE OF SAMSON THE EXAMPLE OF JACOB THE EXAMPLE OF JOSEPH’S BROTHERS     THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE   Repentance is a major emphasis throughout the Bible. It is mandatory for salvation.   Repentance is necessary for sin to be taken away. In the Old Testament sin was atoned<\/p>\n

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