Do you believe that university life is about more than classes, assignments, studying and weekends? Are you interested in finding more meaning and purpose in your life? Do you enjoy listening to and sharing ideas with others? Then, please join our weekly Bible discussion group.

Campus Bible Talk meets every Monday during the school year (except during holidays and during Reading Week Breaks) at Athabasca Hall, Heritage Lounge, at 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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Thursday, August 11, 2011

What does the Bible Teach about Repentance?

Last Monday we talked about "What does the Bible Teach about Repentance".  We discussed how we all make mistakes and often need to change our ways and repent of our old actions.  If we have faith in God, we can seek and find him.  As we understand God's kindness shown toward us in Him sending His son to die for our sins, we will try to act in such a way as to be appreciative of this kindness.  When we realize that we are in our sins and we need to change in order to avoid certain death, we can turn our lives around, repent of our sins and look up to God for salvation.

Here are the notes from our discussion.


August 8, 2011
What does the Bible Teach About Repentance?
Opening Question: What does it something that you have noticed you have changed recently in your life or in the life of a close friend and what cause you to make that change?
Sometimes we can make mistakes in our life and once we realize them, it is time to change.  Other times, we may not have all the information when we make a decision.  Once we have all the facts, we may need to change our mind about our previous choices.
What does the Bible say about change?
The Bible uses the word “repentance” – but the Greek word in the original language of the Bible means “to change one’s mind.”  How does this changing of the mind happens?
In 2 Corinthians 7:8-10, we read: 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—  9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.  10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Paul’s letter had caused “sorrow” to the Corinthians, but this “sorrow” had motivated them to “repentance” or a change of their previous ways in which they acted.  Paul noted that this “godly sorrow” lead to salvation and leaves no regret.
If you are trying to give up a vice, let us say “driving over the speed limit” and you are caught by a policeman, the sorrow you feel about this act (and not just sorrow about being caught) should lead you to change, in this case, toward a behavior of respect for the traffic rules and regulations.
For most people, repenting or changing your ways happens as a process.  What are the stages or what is the way in which this repentance, this changing of heart and mind happens?
1.         Faith in God
If you believe that you are always doing the right thing, you will not see a need to change.  We change things in order to make them good or to make them better.  If you do not see a need in your life to change, you will not change.
So, in order for you to change in conformity with the Word of God, you should have faith in God and see the need that some change should happen in your life.
In Hebrews 11:6, we read that: 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
What does it mean to have faith in God?
So, first we must have faith in God and trust in Him that He will reward those that earnestly seek Him.
This faith comes from hearing the Word of God as we read in Romans 10:17: 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
2.         Understanding the kindness of God
In Romans 2:4, we read: 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
What is the kindness of God?
Understanding how much God loves us (by sending Jesus into the world) and what God has done for us (by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins).
Kindness if a very strong motivator for people – we usually respond positively to people who are kind and polite to us, even if they do not do anything for us (imagine the situation of calling someone for servicing a broken computer ).  The kindness of God is much more than what people can do for us.  No one can give us the same kind of peace and eternal life that God can only give.
3.         Understanding the sin in our life
In John 16:7-8, Jesus says that: 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
We have studied in the past that the result of sin is separation from God, spiritual death and eventually physical death.
One of the tasks of the Holy Spirit is to prove the world to be in the wrong about sin.  We do not have to look far in order to realize that many things are wrong in the world today.  And until we come to the understanding that we need to change and we need to change in accordance with the Word of God, we will not make meaningful changes in our life.
The realization of the sin in our life should make us full of godly sorrow, a strong desire in our heart to become better, to change for the best, to the full potential of our abilities. 
Conclusions
While we sin and fall short of what is expected of us, God offers us the opportunity to repent.  As we learn of God’s kindness and of the effect of sin in our lives, we can come to the point of repenting, changing our hearts and our minds and live our lives pure and holy while following the Word of God.

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