Sin

[dreadnought]

The fact of the matter is, when I sin, I bring trouble into my life. Therefore, Jesus taught (you and) me not to sin (Matthew 4:17). I can’t figure out why so many Christians resist the idea that we should repent of our sin.

 

[Lost4words]

We have to repent when we sin.

 

[Ken Rank]

The fact of the matter is, when I sin, I bring trouble into my life. Therefore, Jesus taught (you and) me not to sin (Matthew 4:17). I can’t figure out why so many Christians resist the idea that we should repent of our sin.

We have shifted to a repeat after me prayer when his message was plainly stated in Matthew 4:17. His message? Yes, it says, "He began to preach, saying..." And what exactly did he say...what did he preach? Simply, "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Repent, not just turn away from sin but TURN TO God and His righteousness. True repentance isn't just turning away from sin, it includes turning to... even RETURNING TO... God in submission to Him AS LORD. That's the call, that's the message... and if we are Christians we should embrace that, not make excuses as to why we can't do that.

 

[dreadnought]

We have to repent when we sin.

It would seem like a good idea, wouldn't it?

 

[Lost4words]

It would seem like a good idea, wouldn't it?

Definitely. Some think you dont have to worry as Jesus did it all for us when He suffered and died on the cross.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

who are these strange people saying repentance isn't required?

 

[dreadnought]

who are these strange people saying repentance isn't required?

I suspect they are the ones who don't want to repent.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

I suspect they are the ones who don't want to repent.

atheists?

 

[dreadnought]

atheists?

I'm thinking of Christians who claim that we don't have to worry about sin because the Lord has taken care of that.

 

[Chinchilla]

The fact of the matter is, when I sin, I bring trouble into my life. Therefore, Jesus taught (you and) me not to sin (Matthew 4:17). I can’t figure out why so many Christians resist the idea that we should repent of our sin.

Maybe some of them are masochists and like to be punished by God ?
Or they simply confess with lips but don't really believe .

 

[dreadnought]

Maybe some of them are masochists and like to be punished by God ?
Or they simply confess with lips but don't really believe .

Perhaps they engage in lip service?

 

[Foxfyre]

The fact of the matter is, when I sin, I bring trouble into my life. Therefore, Jesus taught (you and) me not to sin (Matthew 4:17). I can’t figure out why so many Christians resist the idea that we should repent of our sin.

And what is repenting but stopping doing what is sinful? And I define sin as that which is harmful to ourselves and/or others now or in the future whether we are aware of it or not when we sin. Those who love God and are attuned to the Holy Spirit will certainly sin nevertheless, but they will likely be more aware of more of their sin and recognize it for what it is and hopefully will try to change course.

I have come to believe that God did indeed create a perfect Earth and perfect universe. It is the cumulative sin of humankind in all of its history that has spoiled that perfect Creation. And it will be the cumulative effect of all humankind who love and obey God that will heal the damage that has been done.

 

[dreadnought]

And what is repenting but stopping doing what is sinful? And I define sin as that which is harmful to ourselves and/or others now or in the future whether we are aware of it or not when we sin. Those who love God and are attuned to the Holy Spirit will certainly sin nevertheless, but they will likely be more aware of more of their sin and recognize it for what it is and hopefully will try to change course.

I have come to believe that God did indeed create a perfect Earth and perfect universe. It is the cumulative sin of humankind in all of its history that has spoiled that perfect Creation. And it will be the cumulative effect of all humankind who love and obey God that will heal the damage that has been done.

Your post made me think of a couple of things. First, there are those who would redefine the word "repent" so that it means something different than what it was meant to mean. But it also occurred to me that when we are born, we have no knowledge, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that there is sin. It is important, though, to learn from our mistakes.

 

[justbyfaith]

Jesus has taken care of it all at the Cross.

If you truly believe it applies to you so that you are forgiven, it will change your life. You will be a different person on the inside. The love of God will be shed abroad in your heart through the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5, Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19), in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18), which will be the fulfilling of the law's righteousness (Romans 13:8-10, Romans 8:4).

Some people have to repent first before they can accept forgiveness (in that in their conscience, it doesn't register that they are forgiven unless they make some kind of commitment to not sin anymore). Others, when they realize they are forgiven through a simple faith in Jesus Christ, simply fall in love with Christ and turning away from sin is the faithful result of that (Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19).

 

[Soyeong]

The fact of the matter is, when I sin, I bring trouble into my life. Therefore, Jesus taught (you and) me not to sin (Matthew 4:17). I can’t figure out why so many Christians resist the idea that we should repent of our sin.

When Jesus began His ministry with that message, the Mosaic Law was how his audience knew what sin is, so repenting from our disobedience to it is an integral part of his Gospel message.

 

[justbyfaith]

Hi @Soyeong,

(long time no see, and welcome back!)

How do I repent of not wearing tzitzit? I do not have access to any kind of shop that sells garments that have tzitzit attached to them; and if I did, I'm not sure I would want to wear those garments everywhere and every day (since I am not Jewish and I feel that it might be a lie to testify that I am Jewish in such a manner). I would also have to purchase enough outfits to last until my next laundry day every cycle.

I also don't have a chofar to blow every new moon; something else that the Mosaic law requires.

It seems to me that the Mosaic law is impossible to keep.

Starting my car on the sabbath day is a violation of Torah, it is kindling a fire. That would mean that I cannot travel anywhere on Saturdays, except by walking.

And even with that, scribes and Pharisees in Jesus' day interpreted the sabbath laws to mean that I could not walk more than one mile on the sabbath. So much for going with the Roman soldier twain when he forced you to go one mile. One could not keep Jesus' commandment to go the extra mile and keep the sabbath if it was on that particular day that one was forced to go a mile. Which one is more important? Jesus' commandment? Or Moses'?

 

[justbyfaith]

God forbid that the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet should happen on the sabbath day! The letter of the law would keep you from being able to flee to the mountains! (see Matthew 24:15-21).

 

[Foxfyre]

Your post made me think of a couple of things. First, there are those who would redefine the word "repent" so that it means something different than what it was meant to mean. But it also occurred to me that when we are born, we have no knowledge, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that there is sin. It is important, though, to learn from our mistakes.

I am pretty confident of my definition of the word 'repent." And yes it is important to learn from our mistakes.

 

[dreadnought]

Jesus has taken care of it all at the Cross.

If you truly believe it applies to you so that you are forgiven, it will change your life. You will be a different person on the inside. The love of God will be shed abroad in your heart through the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5, Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19), in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18), which will be the fulfilling of the law's righteousness (Romans 13:8-10, Romans 8:4).

Some people have to repent first before they can accept forgiveness (in that in their conscience, it doesn't register that they are forgiven unless they make some kind of commitment to not sin anymore). Others, when they realize they are forgiven through a simple faith in Jesus Christ, simply fall in love with Christ and turning away from sin is the faithful result of that (Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19).

There are certain behaviors that get us into trouble - there are consequences to our actions. For that reason, the Lord gave us commandments to follow. The point of the commandments is to keep us out of trouble. He rescues us, when we repent, but he expects us to learn from our mistakes, and next time, he might not rescue us so quickly.

 

[dreadnought]

I am pretty confident of my definition of the word 'repent." And yes it is important to learn from our mistakes.

I have run into people who don't think "repent" has anything to do with sin.