Repentance misunderstood ...

A prevalent idea is that repentance means someone must first turn from sin and then reform his life as a prerequisite for salvation. Both experience and logic, as well as the Scriptures, show this idea to be false. Not even a mature Christian has turned from all his sins. Who then, when he compares himself with God’s righteousness, can ever feel he is even close to turning from sin? The problem then becomes, How much sin must be turned from? What degree of success in keeping the Ten Commandments is required before God will accept a person? This would result in salvation by works, not grace! But Scripture says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5).

This false concept of repentance was also prevalent in the first century. The religious professionals of the day, the Pharisees, accused Christ of associating with tax collectors (known for extortion) and sinners. Of course if the tax collectors first ceased being tax collectors and the sinners first reformed themselves, they would have had no problem with Christ associating with them. Christ replied:

It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means, “I desire compassion and not sacrifice,” for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13).

It is not that they were actually righteous, but Christ reasoned with them based on their own estimate of themselves. Has anyone ever heard of a sick person first healing himself and then calling for a doctor? Does not the doctor come when the patient is still sick, and it is the doctor who effects the cure? "

I WAS A PASTOR IN A LOCAL CHURCH FOR YEARS AND I STILL DID NOT HAVE THIS RIGHT ! SO SIMPLE, YET I MISSED IT AND WITH THE ERROR BROUGHT BONDAGE TO SO MANY...THANK GOD I HAVE SEEN THE GLORIOUS GRACE OF THE GOSPEL !!!

HOW AWESOME IT IS TO BE LEADING A CHURCH NOW, WITH THIS UNDERSTANDING...SUCH RELEASE!