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End Times WAR on Repentance!

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March 27, 2024, 12:55:24 pm Mark says: Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked  When Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida began a speech marking the 100th day of the war in Gaza, one confounding yet eye-opening proclamation escaped the headlines. Listing the motives for the Palestinian militant group's Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, he accused Jews of "bringing red cows" to the Holy Land.
December 31, 2022, 10:08:58 am NilsFor1611 says: blessings
August 08, 2018, 02:38:10 am suzytr says: Hello, any good churches in the Sacto, CA area, also looking in Reno NV, thanks in advance and God Bless you Smiley
January 29, 2018, 01:21:57 am Christian40 says: It will be interesting to see what happens this year Israel being 70 years as a modern nation may 14 2018
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October 16, 2017, 03:28:18 am Christian40 says: anyone else thinking that time is accelerating now? it seems im doing days in shorter time now is time being affected in some way?
September 24, 2017, 10:45:16 pm Psalm 51:17 says: The specific rule pertaining to the national anthem is found on pages A62-63 of the league rulebook. It states: “The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. “During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”
September 20, 2017, 04:32:32 am Christian40 says: "The most popular Hepatitis B vaccine is nothing short of a witch’s brew including aluminum, formaldehyde, yeast, amino acids, and soy. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin that destroys cellular metabolism and function. Hundreds of studies link to the ravaging effects of aluminum. The other proteins and formaldehyde serve to activate the immune system and open up the blood-brain barrier. This is NOT a good thing."
http://www.naturalnews.com/2017-08-11-new-fda-approved-hepatitis-b-vaccine-found-to-increase-heart-attack-risk-by-700.html
September 19, 2017, 03:59:21 am Christian40 says: bbc international did a video about there street preaching they are good witnesses
September 14, 2017, 08:06:04 am Psalm 51:17 says: bro Mark Hunter on YT has some good, edifying stuff too.
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Author Topic: End Times WAR on Repentance!  (Read 3447 times)
Psalm 51:17
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« on: December 20, 2016, 08:57:14 am »

Blatant Contradictions and Repentance

The doctrine of Repentance is an essential doctrine for every believer to understand.  In fact, it is essential for every man to repent.  Therefore, a good concept of repentance always profits us.  I wish to address a great error that some hold concerning repentance.  It is a stumbling block to some, and it may be very helpful to treat this topic briefly.

Here is the error:

It is not necessary to turn from sin, because that is a work, and works are not necessary to salvation.  Jonah 3:10 is the choice text for those who hold this specific form of argument, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”  They conclude that since this passage says that turning from sin is works, then this cannot be a part of salvation.  Let us address this error quickly.

1.  According to the Bible, there are two parts to repentance.  Some examples of this include Acts 26:20, “that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”  Matthew 3:8, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.”  There is repentance, that is a heart turn toward God, and fruit meet for repentance, that is, the resulting life of one whose heart is turned from sin to God.  It is very important to make this distinction. 
 
2.  According to the Scriptures, the first part of repentance is the heart turn from sin.  This is a turn from sin, and we can prove it.  If fruit worthy of repentance is a life turned from sin, then repentance is turning the heart from sin.  The first change, repentance, is only in the heart.  Therefore, no work has been done.  In order to bring forth fruit fitting for repentance, we must bring forth good works.  We can no more bring forth good works without repentance, a change of heart, than a dead body can show the vital signs of life.
 
3.  Now these good works are not works that save, they are works that are fitting to conversion.  They are the fruit of salvation and not the cause.  Obviously, the life cannot turn from sin unless the heart turns first.  Once the heart turns, the works must follow.  This is fruit meet for repentance.  If one argues that any other fruit besides good works is “work meet for repentance,” then that one argues that we are commanded to bring forth works that are not good.  This is absurd, and makes God one who calls us to sin.  So the good works come from a good heart, made good by a turn from sin to God.  However, these works are never done to save us, but are the fruit of a change of heart.
 
4. So what did God see in Jonah 3:10?  “He saw their works.”  What works?  He saw their repentance, for we are told by Christ, in Matthew 12:41, that the men of Nineveh “repented at the preaching of Jonas.”  If repentance is genuine, then it is always followed by works that are good.  So when did the Ninevites turn from sin?  They turned when they repented, for a virtuous turn must start in the heart.  This, by nature, is followed by good works, which God also saw.  So, their repentance had to have already taken place for them to have works that could be seen.  Otherwise, we must conclude that a man can please God without repentance of heart.  This also is absurd.

5.  So is turning from sin a work, and are we not to tell men to turn from sin when sharing the gospel?  Only if you hold a view that amount to this: someone can turn from sin outwardly without turning from sin first in their heart.  That is, they can have fruit worthy of a change that has not occurred.   This is impossible.  To turn from sin outwardly, we must call on men to turn from the love of sin inwardly.  That is, they must be called to Jesus from a life of sin.  He came to save His people from their sins.

6.  In short, the argument that turning from sin is a work, and that any call to turn from sin is a call to work, assumes that there is no heart change of mind a purpose that naturally proceeds it.  This is dangerous as we must conclude that one can turn from sin outwardly without having a change of heart.   But if one must have a change of heart, if he must repent, then do works meet for repentance, then to call a man to turn from sin, is to call a man to have an immediate change of heart from the love of sin to the love of Christ.  It is NOT to tell him to go to work, but to have a conversion, wherein the Holy Spirit of God comes in, and prepares the man for every good work.

7.  Yes we must obey God and preach repentance, and the remission of sins.  This is what it means to turn in faith in Jesus the sin-bearer, to trust Him and receive Him as your God.  This must be a turn from sin in the heart, or the works that fit the change CANNOT be good.  Unless the change makes the heart good, the man cannot do any good works.  We are not saved by our works, nor are we saved without them.  We are saved unto good works.  Unless we call men to turn from sin, they can never bring forth works meet for repentance, for they cannot repent.  May God bless you.

Pastor Troy Dukes
Grace Baptist Church
West Palm Beach, FL
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