Repentance may be most misunderstood subject and object of disagreement among Christians today. Paul spoke in clear terms regarding it when he preached, but somehow the issue has become cloudy to some.What is repentance and why has it become such a controversial subject?

Repentance means to change due to the influence of something. In our faith, we speak of the term whenever we speak of salvation, or at least we should. That's because Paul considered both as equally necessary in the redemption of man. In other words, salvation is the process of being saved; repentance, the evidence of salvation. If a person is saved, his life is different than it was before the Holy Spirit took up residence in his life. Paul called this change in us a "new" creation. (2Co 5:17)

It's difficult to understand why such a simple doctrine can generate so many knee-jerk reactions among theologians. It's as though some teachers have abandoned Paul's acid test of Christianity. They preach salvation is not evidenced by change, but by profession alone. Can a person be saved outside the work of the Holy Spirit's influence?

The entire book of James refutes those who teach as if defending a person's personal choice over the power of God to save and change a person. In addition, our Lord in Revelation had very harsh words for church leaders who interpret the word of God incorrectly, preach wrong doctrine and slander anyone who preaches the truth and stands against false doctrine.

What does this mean to you? Consider the words of Jesus who said, "many will stand and say 'Lord, Lord,' but they're lost; I don't know them." If you're depending on the approval of a preacher rather than the word of God and you've claimed a doctrine that says God saves but change is optional, I urge you to repent and confess your sin. I find nothing in Scripture where God ever touched something that remained the same afterwards. Then, why are we so confused thinking we can be saved and remain the same?

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Ec. 7:1-9:18 2 Co. 7:8-16 Ps. 48:1-14 Pr. 22:17-19 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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