Is Repentance of sin a work?

[mbkjpreacher]

IS REPENTANCE OF SIN A WORK?  

 

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11 KJV)

 

Here are some questions that I would like to ask in this passage: 

1.  "Wicked turn from his way", "turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways" =  Is this repentance of sin or sins?  

2.   Are these wicked mentioned saved or unsaved?  

3.   Are wicked men commanded by the Lord to repent of sin?  
 

[John Young]

Yes. "Repentance of Sin" is a work. It is a physical and spiritual work that is done by the believer, with the help of the Holy Ghost, AFTER Spiritual salvation. Repentance that leads to salvation is Spiritual repentance, from pride and rebellion against God to humble submission before God. 

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Romans 4:14-17 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

In regards to Ezekiel 33:11 this is a repentance of sin for breaking the Law of works as stated in Deuteronomy 30. It is not about eternal salvation but Physical salvation and protection as a nation. "The wicked" in scripture are lost people who do not keep God's law. In that passage the wicked of Israel were causing the nation as a whole to be in danger of physical destruction. Israel as a nation was made up of saved and lost Israelite which would have access to blessings and cursing depending on if they kept the LAW or not. Sin is the breaking of the Law and repentance of sin is turning back to the law. 

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Spiritual salvation is individual, regardless of national covenant, and has to do with the condition of one's heart to the calling of God [law of Faith] and has noting to do with first repenting of sin [law of works]. After we are saved we are also under a new Spiritual Law and not the old letter of the law, as Israel was. 

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Romans 3:21-27 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

[mbkjpreacher]

4 hours ago, John Young said:

Yes. "Repentance of Sin" is a work. It is a physical and spiritual work that is done by the believer, with the help of the Holy Ghost, AFTER Spiritual salvation. Repentance that leads to salvation is Spiritual repentance, from pride and rebellion against God to humble submission before God. 

 

Yes. "Repentance of Sin" is a work. It is a physical and spiritual work that is done by the believer, with the help of the Holy Ghost, AFTER Spiritual salvation. Repentance that leads to salvation is Spiritual repentance, from pride and rebellion against God to humble submission before God. 

 

You said that repentance of sin is a work.  my question is in Isaiah 55: 7, Is this speaking about repentance of sin when He said, "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts"?  If yes, to whom is this command given, to the wicked or to the righteous already?  

[John Young]

The way of the wicked is rebellion and his thoughts are of self pride. Isaiah 55 is calling on all people to come to God and drink the water of life freely. Repentance of the wicked's way would be turning from rebellion to submission to God and forsaking our own ways for God's ways.These are what keep people from coming to God and drinking of the water of life freely.

Romans 10:2-4 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

While Rebellion and Pride are sins, in the general sense, the only thing that must be repented of for salvation is rejection of God and his Gift. The term "Repent of sin" to be saved is used by Armenians to mean ALL sin. Armenians use it to say you must promise to keep the moral law of God before God will save you and then you must keep it in order to stay saved. While Scripture says its free to all who come and then AFTER you drink HE will cleanse us of sin.

Isiah 55 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Ephesians 5:26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

[mbkjpreacher]

You stated:

Quote

 Repentance of the wicked's way would be turning from rebellion to submission to God and forsaking our own ways for God's ways.These are what keep people from coming to God and drinking of the water of life freely.

My question is:  

1.  Is the command "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts", is this command a way of the wicked or it is God's condition to receive forgiveness?  

2.  Is forsaking his way and thoughts as mentioned here a DECISION OF THE MIND or an ACTION OF QUITTING SIN? 

3.  Is repentance of sin in this passage a command to the wicked or to the saved person?  

[mbkjpreacher]

You stated:  

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While Rebellion and Pride are sins, in the general sense, the only thing that must be repented of for salvation is rejection of God and his Gift.

Additional question:  

4.  Is unbelief or rejection of God also a SIN?  

5.  Should a sinner repent of the sin of unbelief?  

6.  If the sin of unbelief is the only cause why people will go to hell, why is it that other sins are still listed in Revelation 21: 8 such as fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars.. if the sin of unbelief is the only reason why he must go to hell?  

[mbkjpreacher]

You stated:  

 

Quote

Yes. "Repentance of Sin" is a work. It is a physical and spiritual work that is done by the believer, with the help of the Holy Ghost, AFTER Spiritual salvation

My question 7, Why is REPENTANCE OF SIN, the command given to the wicked (unsaved people) in Isaiah 55:7 if it is only for believers?  

[John Young]

Isaiah 55:7 does not say "repentance of sin" read the passage closely. "repentance of sin" is a very general term used by many denominations to mean many things and does not appear in this passage. The passage is specific in wording. Giving two things and two types of people "let the wicked forsake his way" and "the unrighteous man his thoughts".

According to scripture, what is the way of the wicked? According to scripture what are the thoughts of the unrighteous. According to scripture, what are they supposed to forsake them for?

[mbkjpreacher]

5 minutes ago, John Young said:

Isaiah 55:7 does not say "repentance of sin" read the passage closely. "repentance of sin" is a very general term used by many denominations to mean many things and does not appear in this passage. The passage is specific in wording. Giving two things and two types of people "let the wicked forsake his way" and "the unrighteous man his thoughts".

According to scripture, what is the way of the wicked? According to scripture what are the thoughts of the unrighteous. According to scripture, what are they supposed to forsake them for?

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
(Isaiah 55:7 KJV)
 

Do you affirm that the WAY AND THOUGHTS mentioned in Isaiah 55:7 are not sinful way and thoughts?  

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
(Genesis 6:5 KJV)
 

[mbkjpreacher]

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
(Psalms 10:4 KJV)

The thoughts of the wicked