Laying the Foundation

by James Lee Beall

God’s reproof is uplifting and helpful; condemnation seeks to tear us down and to crea...

When the Holy Spirit deals with us, even about sin and faults, He does it according to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

C. We try to “earn” our forgiveness.

Asking opens us to receive from God.

2. How serious is sin to God? Give several reasons for your answer. [space left intentionally blank in the original book]

5. Briefly describe what sin does to us. [space left intentionally blank in the original book]

1. What Is the Difference Between Repentance and Remorse?

Remorse is a feeling of deep regret, of hopelessness, and even of despair. It does not lead to constructive change, nor does it help us to believe God. Repentance, on the other hand, causes us to turn away from sin and opens us to receive the next gift from God—faith. Remorse is destructive; it turns us against ourselves. Repentance is life-giving; it turns us to God.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worke...

King Saul realized too late that his sin had cost...

B. Judas punished himself for betraying Jesus.

2. Does the Bible Mean by “Fruits Meet for Repentance”?

Fruit refers both to outward behavior and inner attitudes.

We cannot change ourselves without the Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration. Once He has begun to renew us from within, we can cooperate by obeying His commandments.

The Greek word for regeneration, palingenesia, means “...

The evidence of any birth is subsequent life. If we have experienced regeneration, we have new life from God and thi...

By testing the fruit of our character, people can tell what our root ...

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.... Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them (Matthew 7:18, 20).

A. It means the opposite of religious self-righteousness—knowledge of need for change.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these

stones to raise up children unto Abraham (Matthew 3:7-9).

B. It is the opposite of idolatry and materialism.

C. It is the opposite of works to merit God’s favor.

We can do nothing to earn God’s favor; He is already offering this to us freely by grace.

As long as we are still working for our salvation in any sense, true repentance eludes us. We must allow God to make us aware of our bankruptcy and inability to please H...

3. How Does God Give Man Repentance?

Repentance is a gift from God. Man is enabled to repent because God works upon and within him.

Our own efforts only get in God’s way. God uses both external and internal means ...

A. The revelation of God’s goodness leads...

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4).

B. God’s sovereign call draws men to repentance.

I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repenta...

C. God uses the ministry of His Word to create repentance i...

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hear...

D. God uses reproof, rebuke, and chastening to prod m...

E. God may stir us to pray for Him to turn us.

When we find that we cannot turn and know that we should, we can ask God to turn us.

5. What Are the Manifestations of Repentance?

Repentance is an inner matter, an inward action of the soul. But it also has several outward expressions through our actions. God’s purpose in repentance is to turn us around.

For this reason, all genuine repentance will be seen in the change of di...

the daily life. The four basic manifestations of genui...

A. Specific confession of ...

True repentance results in confes...

We do not merely repent “in general,” but we specifically name our sins to God and admit that we are wro...

We never begin our petition for forgiveness with words such as these: “If I have done anything wrong...”

Wow!

B. Restitution to man.

True repentance will lead us to make things right with other people.

We will do all in our power to repair wounded...

We must be particularly careful to keep our relationships flowing in up-to-date love toward those we call “brothers.” We only love God as much...

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righte...