Can a born again Christian repent?

zoidar · Sep 2, 2019

Thanks for all replies in this thread! I decided to start a new thread to be more specific of topic. God bless you all!

What is the biblical meaning of repentance of an allready born again believer?

HatGuy · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
Doesn"t that mean that a born again believer has started living in sin again? Is there need for repentance from an occational sin? Of course we need to ask for forgiveness, but repent? Doesn't repent mean change direction in life?

As a Christian, I'm changing my way of life all the time - adjusting, making changes - as more of God is revealed to me and I get to know Him and His ways better.

That's why it makes sense to me to see repentance as integral to the Christian life. You're constantly learning and constantly adjusting. I don't know of any Christian who has made all the adjustments necessary in one moment of coming to faith in Christ. And faith is a relational term anyway - something you continue to do (you continue to trust).

Charles Kanyuga · Sep 2, 2019

Yes! Repentance is a way of life to believers... why because it involves a change of attitudes. Every day we must keep our minds to respond to Christ. Because we have the mind of Christ so then we must always turn from our own to conform to Christ's daily.

aiki · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
What Bible verses do you base your answer on?

There are always some who mistake what repentance is. Repentance (Gk. metanoia) is not forsaking sin. This is the consequence of repentance, not repentance itself. God repents frequently in Scripture (Genesis 6:6; Exodus 32:14; 1 Samuel 15:35; 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:15, etc.). Does He repent of sin? Obviously not. Repentance is simply changing one's mind about something, thinking differently on some point, taking a new course in what one believes about a particular matter. This change of mind may lead to regret, to sorrow, to confession of sin, to a determination to think and act differently but ought not to be confused with these things.

Can a born-again Christian repent? Well, if God can and does, certainly His children can and will, too. Changing one's mind about one's beliefs, about one's attitudes and living, is essential to growing as a disciple of Christ. And so we read in Scripture:

2 Corinthians 7:8-12
Revelation 2:5
Revelation 3:3
Revelation 3:19

zoidar · Sep 2, 2019

aiki said:
There are always some who mistake what repentance is. Repentance (Gk. metanoia) is not forsaking sin. This is the consequence of repentance, not repentance itself. God repents frequently in Scripture (Genesis 6:6; Exodus 32:14; 1 Samuel 15:35; 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:15, etc.). Does He repent of sin? Obviously not. Repentance is simply changing one's mind about something, thinking differently on some point, taking a new course in what one believes about a particular matter. This change of mind may lead to regret, to sorrow, to confession of sin, to a determination to think and act differently but ought not to be confused with these things.

Can a born-again Christian repent? Well, if God can and does, certainly His children can and will, too. Changing one's mind about one's beliefs, about one's attitudes and living, is essential to growing as a disciple of Christ. And so we read in Scripture:

2 Corinthians 7:8-12
Revelation 2:5
Revelation 3:3
Revelation 3:19

I take it's the same word used in Hebrew in all the mentioned old testament verses?

Barney2.0 · Sep 2, 2019

Peter repented when he denied Christ at th end of the Gospel of John and he was a baptized Christian.

dqhall · Sep 2, 2019

It is not whether you say you were born again or not, but whether you do what the Lord asks you to do.

Matthew 21:28-32 World English Bible (WEB)

28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. 30 He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said to him, “The first.”

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.

Maria Billingsley · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
Doesn"t that mean that a born again believer has started living in sin again? Is there need for repentance from an occational sin? Of course we need to ask for forgiveness, but repent? Doesn't repent mean change direction in life?

Repent means turn away from sin. The change in life direction already took place with the restored relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, conversion. From there we walk in His Holy Spirit who keeps us on the narrow road by reminding us that love conquers all. We are still in our flesh so we repent to stay on that path as the Holy Spirit moves us to do so. We are made aware of our sins along the path of righteousness so that we become more and more like our Christ.
Blessings

zoidar · Sep 2, 2019

Maria Billingsley said:
... We are still in our flesh so we repent to stay on that path as the Holy Spirit moves us to do so.

Not saying you are wrong, but what verses would you use to support this?

Maria Billingsley · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
Not saying you are wrong, but what verses would you use to support this?

John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

GraceBro · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
What Bible verses do you base your answer on?

Repent of what? If they are born again, they have already repented of their unbelief in Jesus by accepting the Gospel (Mark 1:15; Romans 10:9). We can try to repent of individual sins we commit and struggle with, but those issues are connected to the growth of a person in their relationship with Jesus and their understanding of their identity in Christ. Thankfully, God isn't counting our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 4:8). Therefore, we can approach God with confidence in our time of need to receive His grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:16). This allows us to mature in our faith free from the bondage of our sins and our flesh. Grace and Peace.

S.O.J.I.A. · Sep 2, 2019

sure, why not?

☦Marius☦ · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
"Don't you know you have no desire nor ability to repent apart from the work of God?"

I'm not sure about that ...

Possibly I was first regenerated (which I doubt), then I repented and then I got born again. I'm 100% sure the new birth took place after repentance. But then regeneration and rebirth are two different things.

There is no one moment of repentance. Salvation is not a moment but a life in faith and Christ likeness. That requires daily repentance from our sinfulness. Pride is the greatest sin and the one we all commit. Thinking that you are good enough to not need repentence is a sign of pride--a very pride that needs repented of.

1213 · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
What Bible verses do you base your answer on?

Interesting question. If person is born anew and God’s children, like in this:

He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother.
1 John 3:7-10

He would not have sin to repent. However, it is possible that even righteous falls, or makes mistakes. I believe if that happens, he repents, when he understands he has done wrongly.

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
Pro. 24:16

Maybe it is so that only righteous person repents, because righteous person has right understanding and is sad and regrets when he knows he has done wrongly.

Blade · Sep 2, 2019

From the moment we repent come to Christ.. or from the moment He found us and we repent to the moment we sleep and go to be with the Father..what HAS to happen? In this life some know there parents.. some don't. Some always working hoping the parents will love them..to show the parents their not bad..their really good. Yet the know the parents are to busy have much better things to do then bother with a reject a problem. Then some know how good they really are they live their own life and calling home ever now and then to check in. Some always care for their parents. Always there.. always calling ..best friends with mom and dad.

Some know ..just know how much mom and dad love them.. they still say sorry when they mess up. Some don't know..scared to say sorry.. they know mom and dad will disown them. Some say sorry never mean it.. and parents know the really could careless.

I believe our Father.. Father.. He is a spirit. He is everything in one and treats every one of us different. He is very very very personal with each of us. When I am HOME so to speak.. in that presence I never have the questions I get when I am not there. Its only out side and by man I hear .. your lost.. that sin.. to many this time.. you don't really love Him. Didn't read didn't pray.. look how many days months years.. on and on. As if all that is what my Father bases HIS love on.

I could hurt my parents.. for that..always saying sorry. But I could never lose there love and we would always be family. Moments I was so close other times.. seems very fall away. "tell your heart to beat again.. song playing.. perfect timing". Yet His love never failed..You some times I really don't like talking like this.. makes me cry.. so reminded of how much He loves me.. and how much.. I have not lived up to what I THINK in my Head .. for Him..

Thank you Father for taking my place.. thank you for never giving up on me.. I am sorry for ever hurting you.. in Jesus name

Zoidar.. THANK YOU!

zoidar · Sep 2, 2019

Let me give you brothers and sisters two short stories.

A man, born again, living his whole life for God. One day he accidently drives into a parked car. There is a huge bump in that brand new Mercedes. This is going to be expensive! This will make his lousy ecomomy even worse. What's his wife going to say? He looks arround no one there. That owner must be loaded with money anyway. He drives off home. That night he finds himself with guilt and shame. He has harmed someone's propery, yes in sense stolen, he realize. Then he prays to God for forgiveness, deciding such a thing never will happen again. He continues living for God, like he always has.

Now, is this repentance?

There is a born again woman, living her whole life for God. One day she meets a Christian man, falls in love. They become a couple and she wants to marry him. After a year and still no marriage they end up in bed together. This was not how things supposed to be. Weeks go by and they end up in bed together again... and again. This goes on for months. Then she comes to her senses. She realizes she has been living in fornication. She asks God for forgiveness. That same day she talks to the man. Let's set a date for marriage. The big day is set for two months later. She makes every effort to avoid putting her in situations where she is tempted. Commited to God she successfully waits until marriage. She is again living faithfully.

Is this repentance? Do you see a difference from the story of the man and the woman?

zoidar · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
Let me give you brothers and sisters two short stories.

A man, born again, living his whole life for God. One day he accidently drives into a parked car. There is a huge bump in that brand new Mercedes. This is going to be expensive! This will make his lousy ecomomy even worse. What's his wife going to say? He looks arround no one there. That owner must be loaded with money anyway. He drives off home. That night he finds himself with guilt and shame. He has harmed someone's propery, yes in sense stolen, he realize. Then he prays to God for forgiveness, deciding such a thing never will happen again. He continues living for God, like he always has.

Now, is this repentance?

There is a born again woman, living her whole life for God. One day she meets a Christian man, falls in love. They become a couple and she wants to marry him. After a year and still no marriage they end up in bed together. This was not how things supposed to be. Weeks go by and they end up in bed together again... and again. This goes on for months. Then she comes to her senses. She realizes she has been living in fornication. She asks God for forgiveness. That same day she talks to the man. Let's set a date for marriage. The big day is set for two months later. She makes every effort to avoid putting her in situations where she is tempted. Commited to God she successfully waits until marriage. She is again living faithfully.

Is this repentance? Do you see a difference from the story of the man and the woman?

I will answer this myself. Maybe both stories are examples of repentance, I don't know. But there are clearly differences.

friend of · Sep 2, 2019

St_Worm2 said:
Hi @zoidar, here's some of what theologian/pastor Dr. R C Sproul had to say about it.

As much as I agree with your post (#10) it sort of makes it sound like God has conditional Love for us. Even human parents show unconditional Love for their children. I believe God, being Love itself, must have the same attitude of unconditional love to his children. So idk...

charsan · Sep 2, 2019

☦Marius☦ said:
There is no one moment of repentance. Salvation is not a moment but a life in faith and Christ likeness. That requires daily repentance from our sinfulness. Pride is the greatest sin and the one we all commit. Thinking that you are good enough to not need repentence is a sign of pride--a very pride that needs repented of.

Amen! To many think that Salvation is a one tme event like this thread here

Mark Quayle · Sep 2, 2019

zoidar said:
I understood Sproul as using regeneration and the new birth as the same thing. That's how I use it. If you are regenerated or born again then you have become a member of the body of Christ and is saved.

As far as I know the word regeneration isn't in the Bible. I don't like to use it, but prefer using the words new birth or born again.

I'm not sure exactly how I should have explained this in the OP. I wanted to have a discussion about what repententance means for a born again believer. I didn't know there were so many different understandings of what repentance means.

I was surprised everone voted "yes". If I knew that, a better OP would have been: "How do you understand repentance of an allready born again believer?"

God bless you David!

From my perspective a person is born again by the act of God. Since I was young, I was taught a person is born again by the decision of the person. So, of course, I doubted my salvation a lot, thinking my fickle heart was the measure of it. Although I believed once saved = always saved, the real question was, was my decision true. At meetings and so many other times, alone or with others, I was constantly feeling and crying out my repentance and desire for God to inhabit my heart, not realizing that it had long ago happened.

Yes, a born again person can repent. In fact, if they aren't turning their back on sin, they have no reason to claim to be born again.

And you are correct. Regeneration means literally, born again, or possibly, remade.

Can a born again Christian repent?

Can a born again Christian repent?

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