Topical Bible: Gifts from God: Spiritual: Repentance

Bible > Topical > Gifts from God

◄ Gifts from God: Spiritual: Repentance ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Repentance is a profound spiritual gift from God, central to the Christian faith and essential for salvation. It is the process by which an individual turns away from sin and turns toward God, seeking forgiveness and a renewed relationship with Him. This transformative act is not merely a human decision but is initiated and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of repentance is deeply rooted in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for repentance, "shuv," means to return or turn back, indicating a change of direction. The prophets frequently called Israel to repentance, urging them to return to the Lord and abandon their sinful ways (e.g., Joel 2:12-13).

In the New Testament, the Greek word "metanoia" is used, which signifies a change of mind and heart. John the Baptist's ministry was marked by a call to repentance, preparing the way for Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:2). Jesus Himself began His ministry with the proclamation, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 4:17).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Repentance is a gift from God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who convicts individuals of their sin and their need for a Savior (John 16:8). This conviction leads to godly sorrow, which produces repentance leading to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). Without the Spirit's work, true repentance cannot occur, as it requires a heart transformation that only God can accomplish.

Repentance and Faith

Repentance is intrinsically linked to faith. The two are often mentioned together in Scripture as necessary responses to the gospel. Acts 20:21 speaks of "testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus." Repentance involves turning away from sin, while faith involves turning toward Christ, trusting in His atoning sacrifice for forgiveness and new life.

The Fruits of Repentance

True repentance results in a changed life, evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit. John the Baptist admonished the Pharisees and Sadducees to "produce fruit worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). This transformation is not merely external but begins in the heart, leading to a life characterized by obedience to God's commands and a desire to live righteously.

Continual Repentance

While initial repentance is a decisive turning point in a believer's life, the Christian walk involves continual repentance. As believers grow in their faith, they become more aware of their sinfulness and their need for ongoing transformation. 1 John 1:9 assures believers that "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Repentance and God's Patience

God's desire for repentance is rooted in His patience and love. 2 Peter 3:9 states, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This divine patience underscores the importance God places on repentance as a means to restore fellowship with Him.

Conclusion

Repentance is a vital gift from God, enabling individuals to turn from sin and embrace the life-giving relationship offered through Jesus Christ. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, leading to salvation and a transformed life that bears fruit in accordance with God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of a Spiritual Meeting of God and Ourselves
... OF A SPIRITUAL MEETING OF GOD AND OURSELVES. ... The soul should also rest in God above
all the jewels and all the gifts which it may send back to God by its own ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxv of a spiritual.htm

The Impossibility of Renewal.
... The gifts of God have been abused, and the contrary ... The Divine gift of spiritual
enlightenment has been itself turned into a very genius of cynical mockery. ...
/.../chapter v the impossibility of.htm

Gifts to the Prodigal
... to be translated into the terms of spiritual experience ... to the bestowal of the highest
gifts of God ... miraculous loving-kindness and quickening power of God in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gifts to the prodigal.htm

Whether it is Fitting to Distinguish Six Kinds of Sin against the ...
... God's gifts whereby we are withdrawn from sin, are two: one is ... there is "envy of
a brother's spiritual good," when ... is wont to arouse man to repentance for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is fitting to.htm

The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... confers upon them faith and repentance, rescues them from ... owes eternal gratitude
to God, and gives ... altogether regardless of these spiritual gifts and satisfied ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

Book 3
... 1. That we do not abuse the gifts of God ... ourselves to the care and providence of
God, that he ... We ask those things which contribute to the spiritual life, namely ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 3.htm

The Grace of God.
... God constantly used earthly means to provide spiritual blessings ... duty, and shrunk
from receiving the precious gifts of the ... with truth, "By the grace of God I am ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlvi the grace of.htm

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... What spiritual life can you get for yourselves without God? ... because of their deeds
of darkness, hate the light, and refuse to acknowledge the gifts of God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm

Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?
... and sometimes less of His spiritual gifts upon a waiting Church. It is not so.
'With Him is no variableness.' The gifts of God are without repentance; and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/is the spirit of the.htm

Repentance
... who ascended up on high and has given gifts unto men ... I died." Romans 7:9. When he
saw the spiritual nature of ... God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 3 repentance.htm