Efforts To Avoid Repentance

by Micky Galloway

In two previous articles we have discussed the importance of repentance. Repentance is a universal command because sin is universal (Romans 3:23). Paul said, “The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent” (Acts 17:30). We discussed that repentance by definition involves a change of mind, resulting in a change of conduct. The Scriptures teach that genuine repentance involves a proper motive. Paul wrote, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, (a repentance) which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (II Corinthians 7:10). In this Paul contrasts “godly sorrow,” with “sorrow of the world.” We must know the difference. We have also noted that genuine repentance brings forth fruit. John sent away the Jews who desired to be baptized of him, commanding them to “bring forth therefore fruits worth of repentance” (Luke 3:8). The Corinthians had exemplified repentance, a change of mind involving action in accord with God’s will. Paul said, “For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter” (II Corinthians 7:11). Please note that where the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed too! This will not always be easy; therefore there are different reactions to the command to repent.

Some deny the existence of sin. The humanist denies the existence of God. If there is no God, there is no creation, no accountability. The Humanist says, “No deity will save us; we must save ourselves” (Humanist Manifesto I & II). This denial of human accountability creates a philosophical way of thinking that allows the practice of almost anything.

“In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right of birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered ‘evil.’ … Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their life-styles as they desire … Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity.” (The Humanist Manifesto II, 18-19).

This is what the Romans did when they abandoned God. “Because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:21-23).

Some deny personal guilt. These believe in the existence of sin, but deny they are personally guilty. King Saul who was instructed to utterly destroy the Amalekites, attempted to justify his disobedience by denying personal guilt. He said, “I have performed the commandment of Jehovah … Yea, I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah” (I Samuel 15:13, 20). It was only after Samuel’s sobering rebuke (I Samuel 15:22-23), that Saul confessed, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of Jehovah, and thy words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice” (I Samuel 15:24).

Some transfer responsibility for sin. Even King Saul wanted to blame the people for his disobedience. (Read I Samuel 15:13-15, 19-21). Today we want to blame the society we live in. The neighborhood is bad, the school is bad, my family situation is bad, etc. Yet, man is to rise above his environment! Though we live in the world, we are not to be like the world (cf. Matthew 5:12-16; Romans 12:1-2). Some transfer the responsibility of sin to drugs. Let’s be certain, sinful activity while under the influence of drugs is still sinful activity. The word “sorcery, witchcraft (KJV),” (Galatians 5:20), is from the Greek word “pharmakeia” and means literally “the act of administering drugs and then of giving magical potions” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). It is from this word that we get our word “pharmacy.” Thayer tells us that “pharmakeia” is “the use or the administering of drugs … poisoning … sorcery, magical arts” and then adds the comment “often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it.” It means in general, the illicit use of drugs. Paul said, “they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21).

Some try to avoid repentance by seeking to hide sin. David tried to cover his sin with Bathsheba (I Samuel 11) culminating in the murder of her husband Uriah (one of David’s most loyal and valiant soldiers). Lying about sin, fabrication of stories, seeking an abortion, etc. does not nullify the command to repent.

Some seek to harm those who expose sin. Herod and Herodias sought to kill John because he exposed their sin. Mark 6:17-18 says, “For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” When Herodias had opportunity, she asked Herod for the head of John the baptist on a platter. Caiaphas, the high priest said, “it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” The explanation is given in the next verse, “Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation” (John 11:50-51). From that day forward, they sought to kill him, why? Because he exposed their sin. The apostle Paul rebuked the false teachers who bound circumcision upon the Gentiles and then asked them, “So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

Paul told the Corinthians that they were approved, cleansed from every fault because they had repented (II Corinthians 7:10-11). There was no more denial or toleration of sin. There were no more excuses. There was no more pointing of fingers to someone else. Their attitudes and actions had freed them from blame. This is the result of genuine repentance.