I would like to find out something more about repentance. I don't think I understand enough about it. As I looked into it, I found some things that made me realize I have only a superficial understanding of repentance, and there is even more that I will have to learn in the future.
My starting place is usually word meanings, and so it is also for this. I found something surprising. There are two sides to repentance, two things going on at once.
In the Greek, it is fairly simple: a change of mind, purpose, or in something done.
However, in the Hebrew, there are two words used meaning repentance, racham and shuv, and this is where things get interesting.
Racham comes from a root dealing with breath. So it means to pant, or groan, to breathe heavily because of sorrow and regret. However, at the same time it means to be consoled, comforted, pitied, receiving compassion, ease, and even to avenge! The act of sincere repentance moves God at the same time to pour out comfort to us, and even to avenge us.
Shuv, the second Hebrew word for repentance, means to turn, turn back, turn away. At the same time, it means to bring back, allow to return, draw back, restore, refresh, to be brought back. So, at the same time that we are turning away from our evil, God is drawing us back and restoring us, refreshing us in Himself. We see this in 2 Chron. 7:14- when God's people repent, God pours out forgiveness and healing, not just on individuals, but upon the whole nation.
There are some other things about repentance that I found very interesting.
- Repentance is a calling:
The word "call" in the above verse means to call aloud, to call by name, to receive the name of, to give a name to one, to bear a name or title, to be so named.
The call to repentance is specific, with the Lord calling each of us by name. As He calls us by name to come to Him in repentance, He also gives us a name. We also bear the name of the LORD (Isa. 62:2, Jer.14:9, Dan. 9:19, James 2:7).
- Repentance is something that is granted (bestowed, permitted, supplied, furnished) and led by God:
"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads (by laying hold of, accompanying, bringing) you to repentance?" Rom. 2:4
"...if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth..." 2 Tim. 2:25
Not only is repentance a gracious gift from God, from His goodness, but, again, at the same time as repentance begins, life is given in return.
A man cannot repent unless God grants him repentance. We should rejoice at the graciousness of God Who has allowed us to repent. It shouldn't surprise me to find that the love, and unlimited goodness of our Father is included in His principle of repentance, as with everything else concerning His dealings with us. He ends up giving me far more than I give Him.
- The sorrow of repentance is a godly sorrow:
The source of even the sorrow that makes us repent is from God, and is not the same as the sorrow known by the world. This godly sorrow and repentance leads to salvation, even for those who already know Christ (Paul was writing to those who were already believers).
- Repentance is a place:
Heb. 12:17
The place of repentance referred to here is "a space marked off from surrounding space". It also means a "Rock". Not everyone who seeks "a" place of repentance can find it. You can't create a place of repentance with tears and striving, and self-flagellation. The place of repentance can only be found at the place of the Rock, Jesus of Calvary, the place that is set apart from all other places. Esau never found that place. Aren't we glad that we have been shown that place, and can go there freely?
- God will never grant repentance to His great enemy: Death.
I will redeem them from death.
O Death, I will be your plagues!
O Grave, I will be your destruction!
Repentance (pity) is hidden from My eyes." Hosea 13:14
For our sakes, God has cut off Death and the Grave from ever being able to repent before Him. He has cut them off from Himself forever, and they cannot live.
- Repentance produces specific fruits (harvest):
Jesus is reminding the people of God that repentance applies to them. We cannot have the spiritual pride of our own salvation, the pride of self-righteousness. These are the worst of the prides.
Scripture also says that we shall be known by our fruits:
"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? ...Therefore by their fruits you will know them." Mt. 7:16, 20
One of the fruits that God's true people will be known for, and identified by, are the fruits of repentance.
Considering all of the wonderful benefits to us that can be found in repentance, I should be searching myself continually, and taking every opportunity to partake in it. I should be running to that place of repentance as often as my Father calls me. I need to change my knowledge and attitude about repentance.
Our Father calls us to, and grants to us, repentance.
"I Repent"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vw71-oDK4M
"Come Let Us Return to the LORD"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWrHSH_zfDc&list=PL1AC19848DC3D2AEF&index=2
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