Dictionary of Bible Themes Repentance is of central importance because sin brings God's judgment and fellowship with God is only possible through full and sincere repentance. God, through his servants, calls people to repent as the only way to escape the judgment and receive the forgiveness and restoration which he offers. Luke 5:32The call to repentance James 5:19-20See also Jeremiah 25:4-6Ezekiel 33:7-9 Mark 1:4 Luke 24:47 2 Timothy 2:24-26 pp Lk 3:3 Ezekiel 18:30-32Repentance opens the way for blessing See also It is the only way to escape God's judgment Job 36:12Jeremiah 18:7-8; 26:3 Hosea 11:5 Jonah 3:10 Luke 3:8-9 Revelation 2:5 Matthew 4:17 It prepares the way for God's kingdom See also Matthew 3:2pp Mk 1:14-15 2 Chronicles 7:13-14Isaiah 55:7 It brings forgiveness and restoration See also Deuteronomy 30:1-10Nehemiah 1:8-9 Job 22:23-25; 36:10-11 Isaiah 44:22 Acts 2:38-39; 3:19; 5:31; 11:18 Ezekiel 18:23 God desires that all people should repent He wants everyone to be saved 2 Peter 3:9See also His patience with the unrepentant Isaiah 65:2Romans 2:4 Revelation 2:21 Jeremiah 31:18-20 See also His discipline encourages repentance Isaiah 10:20-21; 19:22Hosea 2:6-7; 6:1 Isaiah 55:6 Taking God's opportunity for repentance Acts 17:30-31See also Hebrews 3:13-15; 4:7Psalms 95:7-8 Jeremiah 35:15 Refusing God's opportunity for repentance See also Examples of those who refuse to repent Jeremiah 5:3Matthew 11:20; 21:32 Revelation 9:20-21; 16:9-11 Matthew 13:14-15 God confirms those who refuse to repent in their hardness of heart Acts 28:25-27pp Mk 4:11-12 Isaiah 6:10pp Lk 8:9-10 Numbers 14:39-45Repentance may not remove the effects of human sin 1 Samuel 15:24-26The Israelites' repentance could not prevent the wandering that resulted from their refusal to enter the promised land 2 Samuel 12:13-14Saul's repentance is too late to escape God's judgment on his kingship Hebrews 12:16-17Despite David's repentance the son of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba still died See also Esau's repentance could not bring back the birthright he had sold to Jacob. 1030 God, compassion2375 kingdom of God 2426 gospel, responses 5050 reason 5763 attitudes, positive to God 6125 condemnation, divine 6178 hardness of heart 6652 forgiveness 6686 mercy 8653 importunity to God 9165 restoration 9210 judgment, God's |
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