Is "REPENTANCE" (turning from sin) an essential element of the saving faith of a "Christian," or can one be a Christian without repenting? Is is just me, or does it seem that I would need to turn from my sin in order to approach God, whom the Bible describes as the "Light" and the opposite of sin which is called "darkness." Everyones input welcomed. Regards!
2006-07-07 20:17:16 · 14 answers · asked by Adamray 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sin is "lawlessness" or the violating of God's 10 Commandments.
2006-07-07 20:34:24 · update #1
To be saved you must repent. Without turning away from your sin, how can you be saved from it? This analogy is a good example: If you are on a sinking ship and you will not let go of the ship, how can someone save you from it? In order to be saved from the sinking ship, you have to let go of it. It is the same with sin. To be saved from your sin, you have to let go of it. Again, how can you be saved from that which you will not let go of?
2006-07-07 20:31:17 · answer #1 · answered by Adyghe Ha'Yapheh-Phiyah 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I hope you don't mind a Muslim Imam chiming in on this question because it is one that we deal with also every day.
Repentance is called Tauba in Arabic and it does literaly mean "turn back." We are told that repentance requires three things in order to be real. First is realizing that you are sinning. The realization can come from within naturally, or it can come from an external source such as a friend or reading a scripture. Second is the intention to turn away from the sin now that you know it is wrong. And third is the actual turning away from it with sincerity in your heart never to do it again. It is then that you are considered to believe again.
When one sins, one has turned into a disbeliever. This is explained with an analogy - If a doctor diagnoses a disease in you and gives you a medicine to cure it, but you decide he or she is wrong and you don't belive them and don't take the medicine. You are a disbeliever in that doctor.
The same is true of faith. When you sin and do not repent then you are expressing a form of disbelief in the ultimate doctor, God. One cannot be in a state of disbelief and also be a Muslim, and, I assume, please correct me if I am wrong, this would be true for Christianity as well. One could not be in a state of disbelief brought on by rejection of the cure of repentance and be a true Christian.
Peace and Blessings,
Salim
2006-07-08 05:30:49 · answer #2 · answered by إمام سليم چشتي 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES. YES, YES. Yes, you would have to (a) acknowledge your sin, (b) admit you need help with turning from sin(c) ask God to help you turn from sin.
God already KNOWS you're in sin, but like anything you have a problem with, you can't change what you don't acknowledge.
and to repent means to : as mentioned before, acknowledge the sin and then make a concerted effort not to get into that sin anymore, for example, if it's drugs, stop doing them, and you may have to change your environment after you stop. But, it's a lot easier to do that if you take step b.
2006-07-08 03:25:23 · answer #3 · answered by blkrose65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes because to be a Christian is to follow the teachings of the Master, who stressed turning from sin. He also knew how hard it can be, but in the end, one must, or they really didn't believe what he said - like the seed on rocky and thorny ground that sprouted but died.
the Books of the apostles stressed Faith and Works.
Just super important to remember without the darkness we wouldn't appreciate the Light - but ultimately it's about responsibilty and choices.
2006-07-08 03:34:06 · answer #4 · answered by Kevin A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would put my faith in God and be repentant in order to be in God's good graces. A Christian's faith should allow him/her to ask God to forgive them for their sin and know the difference from right and wrong.
2006-07-08 03:24:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Repentence is the only way to find forgiveness and to draw nearer to the God of whom created us.Jesus Christ is the only way to God, God will not see us in our sinfull state and that is why Christ is the perpituation for our sin (the mediator). If you know the lord then you know what conviction means...God Bless....
2006-07-08 03:25:22 · answer #6 · answered by digitalD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
even our best righteousness is filthy rags to God. Yes we need to repent. Look at Isaiah. God told him do do something and he told God that his mouth was unclean. Everyone sins and needs God's help to overcome trials.
2006-07-08 03:24:54 · answer #7 · answered by GodsHolyFire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Repentance is required sooner or later to evolve. All are accepted into "heaven", but one must make amends to their conscious. This is the only torment we face upon our return to the Spirit World, is our own guilt or the wrongs we have caused.
2006-07-08 03:26:04 · answer #8 · answered by Joe Carioca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes everyone needs to turn from sin..........But we are sinners and sin everyday at some point. The only thing you can do,, is try your best to live as right as possible and ask for forgiveness.......
2006-07-08 03:22:00 · answer #9 · answered by snuggels102 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, u must repent.
2006-07-08 04:58:59 · answer #10 · answered by I ♥ Kurt Cobain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋