Dictionary of Bible Themes: 6734 repentance, importance of

6734 repentance, importance of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 6000 Sin and salvation » 6600 Aspects of salvation » 6732 repentance » 6734 repentance, importance of

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.

The call to repentance

Luke 5:32; James 5:19-20 See also Jeremiah 25:4-6; Ezekiel 33:7-9; Mark 1:4 pp Luke 3:3; Luke 24:47; 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Repentance opens the way for blessing

It is the only way to escape God's judgment

Ezekiel 18:30-32 See also Job 36:12; Jeremiah 18:7-8; Jeremiah 26:3; Hosea 11:5; Jonah 3:10; Luke 3:8-9; Revelation 2:5

It prepares the way for God's kingdom

Matthew 4:17 pp Mark 1:14-15 See also Matthew 3:2

It brings forgiveness and restoration

2 Chronicles 7:13-14; Isaiah 55:7 See also Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Nehemiah 1:8-9; Job 22:23-25; Job 36:10-11; Isaiah 44:22; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18

God desires that all people should repent

He wants everyone to be saved

Ezekiel 18:23

His patience with the unrepentant

2 Peter 3:9 See also Isaiah 65:2; Romans 2:4; Revelation 2:21

His discipline encourages repentance

Jeremiah 31:18-20 See also Isaiah 10:20-21; Isaiah 19:22; Hosea 2:6-7; Hosea 6:1

Taking God's opportunity for repentance

Isaiah 55:6; Acts 17:30-31 See also Hebrews 3:13-15; Hebrews 4:7; Psalm 95:7-8

Refusing God's opportunity for repentance

Examples of those who refuse to repent

Jeremiah 35:15 See also Jeremiah 5:3; Matthew 11:20; Matthew 21:32; Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 16:9-11

God confirms those who refuse to repent in their hardness of heart

Matthew 13:14-15 pp Mark 4:11-12 pp Luke 8:9-10; Acts 28:25-27; Isaiah 6:10

Repentance may not remove the effects of human sin

Numbers 14:39-45 The Israelites' repentance could not prevent the wandering that resulted from their refusal to enter the promised land; 1 Samuel 15:24-26 Saul's repentance is too late to escape God's judgment on his kingship; 2 Samuel 12:13-14 Despite David's repentance the son of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba still died; Hebrews 12:16-17 Esau's repentance could not bring back the birthright he had sold to Jacob.