Chronicles of a Watchman by Dr. James P. Norman Jr.

    Entrance Into God's Kingdom, NOT the Kingdom of Darkness God’s answer to the sinner’s question: Acts 2:38 -- Repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit I. Repentance - Repentance is an inward decision and an act of the will that represents the sinner's initial response to God. It is a heartfelt recognition of one's need for forgiveness and a turning away from a life of sin. Repentance involves a deep conviction and sorrow for wrongdoing, accompanied by a genuine desire to change and seek reconciliation with God. Mark 1:3-4 Prepare ye the way of the Lord ... John did preach the baptism of repentance.  Mark 1:15- Jesus: Repent ye and believe the gospel..  Luke 13:3-5 Except ye repent , ye shall all likewise perish… Luke 24:47- Repentance , and remission of sins should be preached. Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized.  Acts 3;19 Repent and be converted.  Acts 17:30- God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent … Acts 20:21-Testifying repentance toward...

I have heard some believers say, “I am conscious of no fault,” but that does not in itself make certain, or sure that God's acquittal respects this particular charge.  This poses an interesting corollary relative to the positions of faith and justification.   The usage of the Epistle of James does not contradict this which states that we are justified only by such faith that makes us faithful and produces good works. 1 Corinthians 4:4 states "For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord." James 2:21,23, and 24 asserts "was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Further and careful examination reveals that James is denouncing a dead faith,...

For Godly sorrow worketh repentance into [unto]salvation, not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 The foundation of repentance is in the Word of God. For true repentance, there must be a change of opinion in regard to sin. Secondly, there must be a change in opinion of character of sin in the sight of God. Third, there must be a change in the opinion to the prospect of delighting in sin. Finally, there must be a change of opinion to the tenancies of sin. As a consequence of these changes in these opinions towards sin, there is a corresponding change of feelings and attitude in reverence to God. If repentance is genuine, there is within the mind, a conscious change of view and feeling in regard to sin. Where repentance is genuine, the disposition to repeat sin is gone. Genuine repentance continually works a reformation of conduct. Repentance, when true and genuine, leads to confession and restitution. True repentance is a permanent change o...