REPENT OR PERISH
By Elder George Kinney
Some children grow up in a home where it is taught that they should be living in obedience to the Almighty One, keeping His commandments. We read, “… if you will enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17); “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahshua” (Revelation 14:12); and, “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
Yes, these children are taught these things as they grow up – attending meetings on the Sabbath day (fourth commandment), perhaps studying the Bible in a children’s class and taking part in other activities of commandment-keeping groups. They may go through many motions of a saved person – going along with their family and their associated group. They even may be baptized. They may grow up learning of and somewhat following, “the way.” They may come to know very much about the Holy Scriptures. They may feel quite accomplished and even delight in the fact that they know more Scriptural truths than most other people.
Now that they have grown up in a good home, know much truth, associate with commandment keepers, and somewhat follow Bible teachings, are they now saved and ready to inherit everlasting life when Yahshua, the Messiah, returns to establish the kingdom of Heaven on earth?
Let us examine more Scriptures. We will find that commandment keeping in itself does not save us. We must admit that we have sinned. We must have a renewing of our mind and REPENT. REPENT means to think differently – reconsider – feel compunction; that is: poignant uneasiness proceeding from a sense of guilt. A repentant person, realizing guilt, is sorry for his error and humbly comes before Yahweh in prayer asking forgiveness, accepting the sacrifice of Yahshua, the Messiah, which washes away the sins. He has had a turnabout (conversion) in his life. He no longer wants to do his way; but humbly submits to Yahweh’s way, wanting to know and follow all the truth He shows him – not wanting to hold on to old error – but carefully, prayerfully searching the Scriptures for the right way as the Holy Spirit leads (John 16:13, 14:26) – not antagonistic towards it, but fearfully accepting each truth as it is learned – not wanting to hold on to any old falsehood because it was loved before. Now, it is time for baptism, which shows he is dead to sin and therefore buried in the water, rising up to newness of life. Many are called – few are chosen. Few repent and want to follow “the way,” loving the truth; thus most perish, believing lies (2 Thess. 2:10-11).
Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). By the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law (Ten Commandments) had said, you shall not covet (Romans 7:7). By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified (Romans 3:20). For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of Yahweh – not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He shed on us abundantly through Yahshua, the Messiah, our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of everlasting life (Titus 3:5-7). Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Yahshua, the Messiah, even we have believed in Yahshua, the Messiah, that we might be justified by the faith of the Messiah, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16). “Justified” means to render innocent. Our law breaking (sin) is not washed away merely by our beginning to obey the law. Yahshua’s blood – His sacrifice – does that at the time of our repentance; and we are saved by His life (Romans 5:10). We then obey Yahweh and keep the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) because we do not want to sin anymore (Romans 6:6, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18).
All have sinned and come short of the glory of Yahweh (Romans 3:23). There is no man which sins not (2 Chron. 6:36, 1 Kings 8:46). If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). For there is not a just man upon the earth, that does good, and sins not (Ecclesiastes 7:20). We read even of complete and upright Job (Job 1:1, 8) repenting – perhaps because he was righteous in his own eyes (Job 32:1), perhaps thinking he could not err; but he knew transgression should not be held within one’s self (Job 31:33) saying, “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). He was then greatly blessed (Job 42:12-17). The Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Yahshua, the Messiah might be given to them that believe (Galatians 3:22).
Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). Yahweh is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He that covers his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13). If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid, I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Yahweh; and Thou forgave the iniquity of my sin (Psalm 32:5). Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit; for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Yahweh our Elohim shall call (Acts 2:38-39). Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). Bring forth therefore fruits answerable to amendment of life (Matthew 3:8). Repent therefore and be converted, for the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of Yahweh (Acts 3:19). Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:7).
He [Yahshua] spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, Elohim, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, Elohim be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 18:9-14). Yahshua, said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3-4).
Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahweh, and He shall lift you up (James 4:10) . . . be clothed with humility, for Yahweh resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of Yahweh, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:5-7).
Carefully note each of these traits. Do you bear them all: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:22-26). Do we fearfully love all the commandments – keeping the Sabbath day holy, not doing business or buying or selling on Yahweh’s holy day – honoring and respecting our parents – putting no thing or great man before Yahweh?
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? By no means. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were immersed into Yahshua, the Messiah, were immersed into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by immersion unto death; and like as the Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection; knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with the Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that the Messiah being raised from the dead dies no more. Death has no more dominion over Him; for in that He died unto sin once; but in that He lives, He lives unto Yahweh. Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto Yahweh through Yahshua, the Messiah, our Saviour. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto Yahweh, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto Yahweh. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? By no means. Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey – whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But Yahweh be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh; for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and from iniquity unto iniquity, even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death; but now being made free from sin, and become servants to Yahweh, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahweh is everlasting life through Yahshua, the Messiah, our Saviour (Romans, chapter 6).
There is a calling to be answered – or rejected: Yahshua said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). We also read, For the gifts and calling of Yahweh are without alteration
(Romans 11:29). There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you, are called in one hope of your calling (Ephesians 4:4). I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of Yahweh in Yahshua, the Messiah (Philippians 3:14) … give diligence to make your calling and election sure … (2 Peter 1:10). See also Acts 2:39, 1 Thess. 5:24, 2 Thess. 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 3:1.
There is no hope for us without Yahweh’s intervention. Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved, but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened (Matthew 24:22). The goodness of Yahweh leads you to repentance (Romans 2:4). Will you answer your call when it comes? Have you answered your call? Are you continuing to live a repentant life?