The Night Is Far Spent
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12.
CHAPTER FOUR
Biblical Repentance & A Tidbit Of Thought
As previously mentioned in these articles, The Night is Far Spent; The Holy Scriptures teach us that humanity is genetically coded to sin against the Almighty God ever since Adam and Eve’s first recorded historical sin against the Creator explained in the Book of Genesis. Chapter Four, Titled: Biblical Repentance, has been written to explain why humanity needs to realize their condition of sin and why humankind needs a repented heart with God. Therefore to understand a repented nature, one must understand the seriousness of SIN.
Scriptural Verses Regarding Sin:
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalms 51:5
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
The GREAT DILEMMA with humanity is that God has separated us with Himself. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2. Throughout the Old Testament & The New Testament of the scriptures’ teachings, God clearly illustrates that humanity is guilty before the Creator because
the Almighty Father will not tolerate humankind’s sin. A sincere individual seeking God can unite himself with God, but such a person must be willing to surrender to God under His terms unconditionally. For a person to unconditionally surrender to God’s saving grace, they need to understand SIN. Take heed, sin has separated us from God, and therefore this is why God will not hear us. The Almighty God is Holy and will not tolerate unholiness. Understanding God’s Holiness explains why a man needs to be regenerated by God’s supernatural work of salvation by being given a repented heart by the Creator.
“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3. “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11.
MEANING OF HOLY
1: exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
2: DIVINE for the Lord our God is holy— Psalms 99:9 (King James Version)
Reference Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy
LET US NOW BREAK DOWN THE MEANING OF SIN AND THE MEANING OF BIBLICAL REPENTANCE…
MEANING OF SIN
sin
SIN, n.
1. The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. Sin is either a positive act in which a known divine law is violated, or it is the voluntary neglect to obey a positive divine command, or a rule of duty clearly implied in such command. Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts purposes, words and desires,z whatever is contrary to God’s commands or law. 1 John 3. Matt. 15. James 4. Sinner neither enjoy the pleasures of nor the peace of piety. Among divines, sin is original or actual. Actual sin, above defined, is the act of a moral agent in violating a known rule of duty. Original sin, as generally understood, is native depravity of heart to the divine will, that corruption of nature of deterioration of the moral character of man, which is supposed to be the effect of Adam’s apostasy; and which manifests itself in moral agents by positive act of disobedience to the divine will, or by the voluntary neglect to comply with the express commands of God, which require that we should love God with all the heart and soul and
strength and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. This native depravity or alienation of affections from God and his law, is supposed to be what the apostle calls the carnal mind or mindedness, which is enmity against God, and is therefore denominated sin or sinfulness…
2. A sin-offering; an offering made to atone for sin. He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2 Cor 5.
3. A man enormously wicked. Not in use.
4. Sin differs from crime, not in nature, but in application. That which is a crime against society, is sin against God.
Reference Source: https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/sin.html
MEANING OF REPENTANCE
repentance
REPENT’ANCE, n.
1. Sorrow for any thing done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.
2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.
3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life. Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2Cor. 7. Matt. 3.
Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God.
Reference Source: https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/repent.html
Scriptural Verses Regarding Repentance:
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
You see, the problem with humanity is that all individuals who have lived and are currently living have sinned against the One True God. Therefore a person must be able to see their depravity and must be willing to repent. Without genuine repentance, salvation by grace can not occur because salvation is a supernatural work from the Almighty God. By nature, humanity is at war with God. Unless the Holy Spirit’s power convicts a person, a person can NOT repent towards God. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13.
When an individual hears a sermon or reads the Bible, the Almighty God is the one who determines the heart of conviction. If a person truly desires a real relationship with God, this will occur because the walking deadman has got convicted in his soul of being a sinner. This conviction is a crucial doctrine that, sadly, many Churches today do not preach. Salvation is indeed a supernatural work from God. God’s people might be messengers, but God is the one who saves the soul of the lost man.
“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicle 28:9.
A person who truly desires a real relationship with God must be willing to turn from sin. This turn is a change of mind. This turn is only possible if God awakens a deadman’s soul to realize the person’s depravity. Salvation is not of works but a person’s sinful condition known to them by the Holy Spirit’s supernatural workings. Salvation is a gift, and one can not work to earn this gift of salvation. A man or woman who sincerely repents and believes in faith is how a person receives everlasting life. Repentance is a crucial doctrine to understanding salvation. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6.
Repeat…once again without a repented heart, a man can not inherit eternal life. Repeat…humanity can not work (earn) their way to heaven. Our works are filthy rags. Salvation is not possible for any man who is not willing to listen. Salvation is not feasible for any man who thinks he can earn his place at the Gates of Glory. God is Holy, and humanity is NOT. Salvation requires a repented heart and believing in faith that Jesus Christ paid for the world’s sins. It is not possible to please God without faith. “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29.
Many individuals hold to the doctrine of easy-believer-ism. The problem with this doctrine is it removes the conviction of man’s iniquities from any wrongfulness. This doctrine is not biblical, and modern-day evangelicalism that preaches this doctrine should be a shame of themselves and will eventually be held accountable with God on judgment day.
Do you see, dear reader, humanity thrives on twisting God’s Word, so man can believe they have salvation even though they still have an unregenerate heart. Be warned…“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. These following two verses teach us that a man needs a new heart. This heart can only occur once an individual has a change of mind. This change of mind is a change in direction. A turning over. A new path. This condition of man can only happen if God convicts an individual’s heart. Jeremiah 17:9 claims the heart is deceitful and who can know it, while chapter 29:13 of Jeremiah teaches to search for God with all your heart. How is this possible? Do these verses contradict themselves? Answer: Actually, no. These verses are not contradicting because they prove through its illustrational teachings in the Holy Scriptures the authenticity of biblical repentance needed for salvation. As previously mentioned in this article, 2 Peter 3:9 proclaims – “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Do you see it??? The heart of man is evil recapping Psalms 51:5 in this article claims we are born in sin. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” However, suppose God reveals himself to you by His Word. In that case, the evil heart of a sinful man can start to reconcile with God. After all, in your lost individual statehood with the One True Godhead, you now realize your depravity because you, a lost person, was willing to “search” for God with a pure heart. The purity of a man’s heart can only happen if a man accepts God’s love of longsuffering to us since the Almighty does not desire anyone to perish. Thus He allows the wicked-heart of man to come to repentance as illustrated in 2 Peter 3:9. Wrongdoings made right requires the wrongdoer to realize their crime. This crime, “sin,” is the iniquities of man. That is why salvation is a supernatural work from God provided by His Holy Spirit. A person can not become born-again without a Divine intervention from the Almighty. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:1.
Do you see it now??? Recap: Humanity is not able to rebirth itself. God grants the establishment of our birthright. Physically and spiritually, God authorizes, who is born. I assure you that if God established your physical birthright on this earth, only God could grant you a spiritual birthright in the eternal heavens. John 3:6 – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Without a supernatural conviction of sin by our Heavenly Father, a man can NOT get reconciled to God. God grants us free will. He gives us the liberty to choose life or death. A lost man can choose to read the scriptures or not. Suppose an unsaved man is willing to allow himself to open his heart to God’s Word. In that case, God will then grant (give freely) this lost person the gift of salvation because this once unsaved person chooses to change in mind, and therefore God could grant him a repented heart by his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Without faith, it is impossible to please the Almighty. The Bible proclaims – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Two True Biblical Examples Of Repentance
Illustrated In The Holy Scriptures
#1. A passionate and loving story of a man’s repented heart is the story of the thief on the cross. Many easy-believer-ism proclaimers illustrate this passage out of the Holy Scriptures by claiming he just believed. However, these easy-believer-ism skeptics of repentances are further from the truth than when they first started debating the doctrine of a no-repentance needed salvation doctrine. Why? Answer: As the Holy Bible proclaims, there were two thieves crucified on the day of Jesus’s crucifixion, one on the right side of Christ and the other on the left side of Christ. “Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.” Matthew 27:38. These sinners were guilty of being thieves. However, during the crucifixion of Jesus, the one thief asked Jesus to remember him. This faith only occurred because he realized that Jesus Christ was dying for his sins. Now, this is what lead to his spiritual birth because he had a repented heart. The heart that was wicked in this man became right before God. A repented heart started his rebirth by his conviction of sin, which leads to his eternal salvation through his belief in Jesus Christ. Just because a person can believe in Jesus’s name doesn’t mean they are SAVED, because, without conviction of sin by a genuine repented heart, rebirth can not happen spiritually. Even the devil and his demons believe in Jesus Christ; however, they are doomed to the eternal damnation of everlasting judgment because they will not receive a repented heart from God. The devil and his demon’s spirits will always, therefore, be wicked. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19. Humanity, however, was given a second chance by the Creator. This second chance is the spiritual birth relating to the correct teachings of biblical salvation. Many false churches like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses proclaim the name of Jesus, but this Jesus, in their educational instructions, is not the scriptural JESUS CHRIST of the Holy Bible. They have instead created a new false (j)esus. They have not gone to the cross by a genuine, faithful repented heart. If a man’s heart by nature is evil and wicked, a wicked heart without regret or sorrow can not enter a relationship with a Holy God. It is not possible simply because it is not biblical. Therefore, a repented heart can only happen if the SINNER has a conviction by the Holy Spirit’s Power regarding their SIN.
#2. Another emotional biblical story of a repented heart is the Samaritan women at the well. Many easy-believer-ism believers preach this story because they believe that repentance is not mentioned directly in these passages of scriptures. However, one must understand the contexts herein, just like the story regarding the thief on the cross. This woman realized that Jesus Christ was exposing her many sins. She had multiple husbands and by many considered a “working girl.” Jesus reveals this to her, and her eyes became open to this enlightenment (she had been convicted of sin), and she started to believe in Jesus Christ because she received a repented heart. How? Answer: Her heart was convicted of her sins. Jesus exposed her iniquities, and her conviction showed proof because she proudly proclaimed Jesus Christ to all of her Samaritan villagers.
John 4:4-42. Proclaims (Story of Samaritan Women) – “And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”
Just because some hold to the name of Jesus doesn’t mean they got saved. Many will declare to God on judgment day, Lord, Lord. God will, however, proclaim to these groups of people, “I never knew you.” Matthew 7:23. Repentance is not just believing in the name of the only- begotten (John 3:16). Repentance is not a state from unbelief to suddenly beliving in Jesus Christ. Repentance is a turning away from SIN; it desires a person to cling to the cross to escape their transgressions. Repentance is a change of mind, a new path. This new path leads a once lost individual down a new road. This new path (new direction, new road) is directed by Jesus Christ, who He alone guides their walk with Him, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3., “And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.” Leviticus 26:12. “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Corinthians 5:7 “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29-(b) because they have been declared right with God by accepting the Savior. Therefore, a real repented heart will lead a person to humble themselves with sincere humility that directs them towards the Cross of Christ to save (pardon) their lost soul.
John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse represents the biblical story of the repented thief on the cross being crucified right by Jesus Christ; this verse also represents the biblical story of the “working girl,” the Samaritan women at the well.
Recapping the Evils of Man’s Heart: The heart is evil all day long and will not cease until the unsaved are generated by God supernaturally.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” 2 Timothy 3:2-4.
Recapping The New Heart of Saved Men: A newly regenerated spiritual heart granted by God supernaturally.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13.
Tidbit of Thought
Dear reader, you have been warned. True faith in Jesus Christ must occur with a genuine repented heart of conviction. Salvation is by grace; Salvation is a gift (free) provided by God; one can not work (earn) eternal salvation. If you refuse to listen, God could harden your heart from henceforth evermore desiring, NOT the option to repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Take heed and cry out to God.
“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;” Romans 2:5.
“See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from
heaven:” Hebrews 12:25.
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 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 55:6.
CREDITS & REFERENCES
#1. God Almighty
Above all, let us give credit to God Our Father in Heaven in helping with the publication of this Article Four – Titled: The Night Is Far Spent; therefore, let us first give thanks and glory to the Almighty King of Heaven for this publication
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” 2nd Corinthians 3:5.
#2. King James Bible Online (Website Url: www.kingjamesbibleonline.org)
#3. Grammarly Software (Website Url: www.grammarly.com)
Publisher: Brandon Everett Schuchardt. Bible Translation: King James Version (KJV)
Dated: October Tenth Twenty-Twenty
