Part three in this present series.
In PT50 we saw nine examples of severity of judgment. Our present purpose is to see what the Scriptures have to say about repentance. Here are nine important quotations.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”. 2 Peter 3:9
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:32
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Rom.2:4
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.” 2 Cor.7:10
“If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” Jer.18:8
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
“And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:4
“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'”
Matt.18:21-22
The word repent means making a U turn. The Lord uses it of Himself in Jer.18:8. Notice the seventy times seven in Matt.18:21. If God requires us to forgive others to this extent, then He Himself cannot extend forgiveness to a lesser extent. It is His goodness which leads us to repentance. It is not His will that any should perish. Hence “the goodness and the severity of God” combine to bring this about. All heaven rejoices over repentant sinners.
More next time.
