Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Repentance (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Repentance,” from our “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series – Paul teaches us that “when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness” (Romans 6:20). This teaches us that neither you nor I could ever be considered “righteous” if we live a lifestyle of sin. We will all fall victim to transgressions from time to time, but we must “repent” every time we sin in order to be declared “righteous” in the eyes of the Lord. There is a teaching that is perverted in doctrine, which has deceived many Christians. According to this teaching, the moment a soul is baptized with water in the Name of the Lord, there is no need to “repent” again, ever, because their sins are forever removed! Consequently, the message of “repentance” is rejected today because of what men think, as in the days of John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:8-9) and of Simon (Acts 8:22). Beloved, we must learn the “fundamentals of the Doctrine of Christ” in order to help the world, rather than steering it in the wrong direction.

Precious Ones, baptism in Jesus’ Name does free one from the penalty of God’s judgment on all who are born of human descent through Adam; but baptism does not free us from the responsibility to “repent” every time we mess up! To say that one act of baptism frees one from a lifestyle of saying “I’m sorry” to God, is to say that if someone violates you one time and “repents,” they are covered for the next 490 times they violate you again! As ignorant as that sounds, it is just as ignorant to believe that a baptized believer never has to “repent”!

Chosen Ones, the Word of God is against this teaching. What are you going to do with the scripture that says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon [forgive]” (Isaiah 55:7)? We are commanded not only to “repent” of our offenses, but also of any thoughts that are not pleasing to the Lord! Beloved, to receive God’s “pardon,” we must turn from ourselves and all of our thoughts about Him, and learn His ways and His thoughts concerning us. In addition, Jesus taught Peter that “if [a brother] trespass against thee seven times in [the same] day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:4). According to scripture, we are only obligated to forgive each other when we repent. So, don’t believe the “hype,” Beloved; we will always be responsible to say “I’m sorry” – to repent.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this…

I love you all so very much,
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy