In the previous posting we studied 2 Corinthians 7:10,11 where Paul, speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit, characterized true repentance using such descriptive terms as clearing, fear, zeal, desire, vindication, revenge. Any repentance short of this level of self-directed consternation is sure to produce future repentances in that it is nothing more than false, serial repentance which will lead to ever more sin and ever more repentances. Repentance then becomes rote–all physical mouth and no spiritual muscle.

Paul speaks to this religious malady in Romans 2:4,5: “You despise the riches of His (God’s) goodness and forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to (true) repentance. But because of you hard and impenitent heart, you treasure (store) up for yourself wrath against the day of wrath which will feature the righteous judgment of God, Who will render to every man (either reward or punishment) according to his deeds.” The word “impenitent” in this context refers to serial repentance. Those who never repent would not be in the early church. Note also that serial repenters store up their sins. If we continue to commit a sin after repenting of it our past repentance of that sin was false– not from the heart. As the Apostle Mark states symbolically, we must gouge out our eye or cut off our hand or foot in order to stop ourselves from sinning–we must do whatever it takes (Mk. 9:43,45, 47). The wages of sin is death. The gift of God (salvation) is available only for those who have voiced true repentance and lived accordingly (Rom. 6:23). The Apostle John stated this Truth even more emphatically in 1 John 3:5,6: “He (Jesus) was manifested to TAKE AWAY OUR SINS AND IN HIM IS NO SIN. WHOSOEVER ABIDES IN HIM SINS NOT. WHOSOEVER (CONTINUES TO SIN) HAS NOT SEEN HIM AND DOES NOT KNOW HIM, NEITHER IS KNOWN BY HIM.” Then in verses 8&9 he delivers the death blow: “HE THAT COMMITS SIN IS OF THE DEVIL. HE WHO IS BORN OF GOD DOES NOT COMMIT SIN.” This perfectly describes serial repenters. John returns to this theme in 9:41 where he addresses those who are involved in a sin-repent-sin-repent cycle, telling them that because they say they “see”–know they have sinned–and continue to sin, their sin will remain (is stored/treasured up) until judgment. The Apostle James voices the same God-inspired Truth: “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Finally, the Apostle Mark shows us the hypocrisy of those who call Jesus God’s Son, speak His Truth, etc. and then refuse to obey Him. In 12:12-13 some Pharisees came to Jesus, called Him Master (teacher) and confessed that He was sent from God and taught God’s ways in Truth. A short time later they killed him for teaching God’s Truth. The religious hierarchy also killed all of the apostles except John, whom they had imprisoned.  Next: Why does the Institutional Church profess to believe the Bible in general but refuse to obey it? L.J.