1-05. What Elohim's (God's) Ahavah
(Love) Should Lead You to Do
"Do you think lightly of the riches of Yahweh's kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of Elohim (God) leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)
Repentance is a change of mind, heart and direction. It is shown in a
"sorrow according to the will of Elohim (God)", which leads you to
"turn to Elohim (God) from idols to serve a living and true Elohim (God)". You make an about face from sin
"without regret leading to salvation".
There are some very important principles involved here. To "turn...from idols" doesn't just mean stopping worshipping statues or man-made objects (as this isn't very common these days in most countries). An "idol" is anything which commands our devotion, attention, or worship above that rightly owed to Yahweh alone, even if it is something which in itself is not necessarily "evil". Thus if I place
anything before Elohim (God), I am committing idolatry. Idolatry does not bring chayim (life) because the only source of chayim (life) is Yahweh.
The second principle is that if we do not experience regret upon turning away from sin the chances are we have not been properly saved and not admitted Yahshua (Jesus) into our heart. To be valid, repentance must be sincere and complete. It is no use half regretting a life of sin. Repentance must be full.
Yahshua (Jesus) warns:
"Unles you make teshuvah (repent), you will all likewise perish". Repentance is not an option - it is an absolute necessity. Emunah (faith) without a change in mind, heart and direction is not emunah (faith) in the true sense. Emunah (faith) is more than passive belief. Emunah (faith) means belief (trust) that leads to a radical change.
Remember,
"Yahweh is now declaring to to men [and women] that all everywhere should make teshuvah (repent)". Repentance is not a single event but a life-long process. Just as a spacecraft must make adjustments to its flight path when it deviates from its assigned orbit, so we too must constantly be repenting - changing direction - when we deviate from the path Elohim (God) has commanded us to walk.
Obey Yahweh's mitzvah (command) now:
"Make teshuvah (repent) therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away". Emunah (faith) without repentance is the same as good intentions without positive action - it gets us nowhere. Thus "the Master...is not wishing for any to perish but for all to make teshuvah (come to repentance)". Making teshuvah (repentance) is positive action that leads to salvation (deliverance). It is not something to be feared. It results in a total renewal and cleansing of our soul which is something to be greatly desired.
Are you sorry for your sins and willing to repent? If so, say:
"I am sorry for my sins. I see that the undeserved kindness or ahavah (love) of Elohim (God) leads me to repent."