Repentance from what?

[At Peace]

To further clarify one of my beliefs is that only Jesus and God were and are "sinless" and "perfect" not us.

You mistakenly think that nobody obeyed Jesus' command from Matt 5:48.
Some have.

No my position is that not one person on this earth is sinless or perfect or both however through Jesus and God's grace we are free from being "Slaves to sin"

Jesus said..."Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (John 8:34)

there is quite a difference between being free from sin and being sinless, one is through the Holy spirit and "actually possible" the other is "not possible" until we die and eventually receive our new bodies.

An argument using semantics won't win in front of God's throne on the last day.
Seeing as the folks who have "turned from" sin receive the Holy Ghost here and now, (Acts 2:38), why would they need to wait till the end of the world to be pleasingly obedient to God?
Your hands and eyes don't commit sin, the mind controlling those hands and eyes does.

Also to be "clear" when I say "sinless" and "perfect" I mean divine or immaculate as in not "sinful" whatsoever,

Do you still feel that way in light of..."According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" (2 Peter 1:3-10)
These words are true, thanks be to God.

many boast, puffing themselves up, declaring they after accepting Jesus are "sinless" and "perfect" or more in depth "without flaw" I have seen this many times and it is "revolting" and a "total lie" even some going so far as to sin horrendously against someone to "prove they are sinless" only to "sin" while doing so and making themselves "foolish" to others.

I have seen the same thing, but they are also disqualifying themselves from the name "Christian" when they do.
There is no sin in Christ, and "Christians" have been "baptized into Christ".

Anyways sorry for the slight derail whoever's thread this is.(Salvation, and prideful so called perfect people are what get me full of vigor for the Lord because each must be taught)

No apologies are necessary.
The thread was an attempt to cause folks to see that it takes a real "turn from", or, "repentance from sin" to NOT be counted among unrighteous.
Then, to realize that God provides everything we need to maintain that repentance.
Thanks be to God!

 

[At Peace]

it really boils down to understanding the flesh is cursed the spirit used to be a slave to sin now the spirit has been set free by Jesus Christ. the flesh that we all live in is sinful by nature. Really that simple. Yeap you can over come the flesh but your still a sinner even when you overcome the flesh because if you were not a sinner you would not have to over come the flesh to begin with. Now by the spirit we have the power to over ride to fight back to win against our sinful nature. But imagine if you will that you did not have the sinful nature to begin with you would not need to fight it. You would not need to over come it. Yes you can win against the sinful nature but that does not change the fact you have a sinful nature the flesh

My understanding when the bible talks about being perfect is in the spirit, when the bible says sin no more, it means that we now have the power to sin no more, it does not mean that we do not have a sin nature, it means we now have the power to turn from it. This is my understanding and I might be wrong I am no Know it all that is for sure. I only seek the the truth.


the "old and new" the bible speaks about has to be the spirit as my flesh is the same.

if you do a quick search on the flesh you will see it is not changed no one changes the flesh we all live in.

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 8:8
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 8:6
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
if you do a quick search on spirit you will see in the spirit is whear we please God whear the change takes place.

Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

1 John 4:13
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.


understanding our two natures is important part of growing as a Christian is my thought.

this is why Jesus had to be born of a virgin by the holly spirit so he did not receive the curse of the sin nature
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Proof of the sin nature abounds. No one has to teach a child to lie or be selfish; rather, we go to great lengths to teach children to tell the truth and put others first. Sinful behavior comes naturally.

The Bible explains the reason for the trouble. Humanity is sinful, not just in theory or in practice but by nature. Sin is part of the very fiber of our being. The Bible speaks of “sinful flesh” in Romans 8:3. It’s our “earthly nature” that produces the list of sins in Colossians 3:5. And Romans 6:6 speaks of “the body ruled by sin.” The flesh-and-blood existence we lead on this earth is shaped by our sinful, corrupt nature.

The sin nature is universal in humanity. All of us have a sinful nature, and it affects every part of us. This is the doctrine of total depravity. All of us have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). Paul admits that “the trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin” (Romans 7:14). Paul was in his “sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (Romans 7:25). Solomon concurs: “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, / no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). The apostle John perhaps puts it most bluntly: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

What is the sin nature?

I rejoice in the grace and glory of God for making the above of no concern to those who are Christ's..."And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Gal 5:24)
Blaming the skin for one's wickedness is a futile attempt at accommodating future sin.
I exhort you to flee from such "reasoning".
Why not just kill the old man and be reborn of Godly seed?
Then you CAN resist all temptations.

 

[Joefizz]

You mistakenly think that nobody obeyed Jesus' command from Matt 5:48.
Some have.


Jesus said..."Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (John 8:34)


An argument using semantics won't win in front of God's throne on the last day.
Seeing as the folks who have "turned from" sin receive the Holy Ghost here and now, (Acts 2:38), why would they need to wait till the end of the world to be pleasingly obedient to God?
Your hands and eyes don't commit sin, the mind controlling those hands and eyes does.


Do you still feel that way in light of..."According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" (2 Peter 1:3-10)
These words are true, thanks be to God.


I have seen the same thing, but they are also disqualifying themselves from the name "Christian" when they do.
There is no sin in Christ, and "Christians" have been "baptized into Christ".


No apologies are necessary.
The thread was an attempt to cause folks to see that it takes a real "turn from", or, "repentance from sin" to NOT be counted among unrighteous.
Then, to realize that God provides everything we need to maintain that repentance.
Thanks be to God!

Well at least some of what you said I agree with so I gave you a like, gonna try to sleep now I guess.

 

[Br. Bear]

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" (2 Peter 1:3-10)

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things,

though ye know them,

and be established in the present truth. 2Peter 1:1-12

 

[KingJ]

Hi folks,
I just read this verse..."I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32)
What are the sinners repenting of?

If there are none righteous Rom 3:10, why did Jesus feel the need to 'still' separate the righteous from sinners?

 

[KingJ]

Your position then, is that you can never be free from sin...in spite of what the bible says?

Everyday you sound more and more like an unbelieving troll taking the mickey out of Christians. Mocking Christianity. Mocking others dedication and repentance.

I believe you are possessed by a demon of confusion and need to start listening better to those who have scripturally corrected you. You are staying in your bubble and just continue pushing the envelope.

I wish we were disagreeing on a Rom 14:15 issue, but we are not. You are mocking God's people and Christianity.

If you were a member of my church, stood up for open ministry and preached your tripe. The elders would invite you to bi-weekly bible studies. You would never be allowed to preach this a second time. I can promise you that.

'''I am perfect / I don't sin, those who do aren't Christians, didn't truly repent / I have never apologized to anyone / If I had a wife or child who committed a small sin I would kick them out of my house''....

You need to go find a comedy forum or an atheistic one that mocks Christianity.

 

[At Peace]

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things,

though ye know them,

and be established in the present truth. 2Peter 1:1-12

I am thinking that the 'message' you posted is (hidden) in the bold and underlined text.
Do you have any comments relative to them?

 

[At Peace]

If there are none righteous Rom 3:10, why did Jesus feel the need to 'still' separate the righteous from sinners?

The scripture "quoted by Paul from Psalm 14:3", was an attempt to show the Jews that they too required a Redeemer, in spite of their Law.
They couldn't even be righteous, under the Law.
Under the New Covenant, we can all be righteous. (Rom 3:21-22)

As to "why did Jesus think it necessary to separate the righteous from the unrighteous"?...To show His love, grace, mercy, and power to those who chose to serve Him.
The rest will experience His wrath.

 

[At Peace]

Everyday you sound more and more like an unbelieving troll taking the mickey out of Christians. Mocking Christianity. Mocking others dedication and repentance.

I believe you are possessed by a demon of confusion and need to start listening better to those who have scripturally corrected you. You are staying in your bubble and just continue pushing the envelope.

I wish we were disagreeing on a Rom 14:15 issue, but we are not. You are mocking God's people and Christianity.

If you were a member of my church, stood up for open ministry and preached your tripe. The elders would invite you to bi-weekly bible studies. You would never be allowed to preach this a second time. I can promise you that.

'''I am perfect / I don't sin, those who do aren't Christians, didn't truly repent / I have never apologized to anyone / If I had a wife or child who committed a small sin I would kick them out of my house''....

You need to go find a comedy forum or an atheistic one that mocks Christianity.

Our great God and Redeemer has given us all we need to forsake sin.
The gift of repentance, the gift of baptism into Christ and into His death, burial, and resurrection, the gift of the Holy Ghost, Comforter, and scriptures like..."There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.' (1 Cor 10:13)
I thank God for allowing me to "resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
There is no reason to commit sin anymore.

 

[B-A-C]

Luke 5:31; And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.
Luke 5:32; "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

I am more interested in verse 31 here. Those who "are well" don't need a doctor. Hmmmm...
Here is Mark's version.

Mark 2:16; When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?"
Mark 2:17; And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

So Jesus is eating with sinners and tax collectors. It seems these are "the sick".
The Pharisees seem to assume that they are "the well". But in many other passages it turns out that they are not as "well" as they think.

Matthew's version maybe tells a little more.

Matt 9:10; Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.
Matt 9:11; When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?"
Matt 9:12; But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
Matt 9:13; "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Why is verse 13 the next thing Jesus says here? "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,'

This is a quote of Hosea 6:6. ( Possibly Micah 6:8; also )

Hos 6:6; For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

So if we mix all of this together and shake it up, what do we come up with?

1. Some people are already so righteous that they never need Jesus?
...or... even those who "think" they are righteous need Jesus.
2. Those who "think" they are righteous need to go and learn what compassion and loyalty is.
( also the knowledge of God... hmmmm.... what does that mean? )

It seems the thing here is... Jesus spends time with those who need Him. He is willing to spend a little
time at the table with tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners. He is willing to "lower" Himself to wherever
they are in their walk with Him. ( He doesn't lower His standards, just His piousness )

Are we too pious? Too righteous? Too judgmental? Do we need to learn what compassion is?
Is learning compassion part of "the knowledge of God"? Our God is compassionate.
( Deut 30:3; Deut 32:26; 2 Kings 13:23; 2 Chron 36:15; Neh 9:27; ... ( over 50 similar verses )

If God does not change... did He lose His compassion for people?
People who are struggling... wanting to repent but not quite there yet.

Now granted, this is different from people who don't want to repent and willfully wade through the blood of Jesus.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings B-A-C ,

interesting and thought provoking repy/post.

They're all still out to lunch on the words you used. Compassion and loyalty. But that is getting close, to a point providing we get a handle on what that means in it's full context.. as will all Scripture... but i feel i am telling you things you already know.

One thing that strikes me is the combination with the preference over sacrifice.
If you were a Jew, what would that mean? Was it David who sacrificed a bull every seven steps when they were moving the arc? Full bottle stuff we little 21st Century mites know so little about in our daily lives.

However, the main gist i think you are making is that which the Lord said were the greatest commandments, namely love... God and man, with everything you've got... and may i add, expecting nothing in return.
This is the Doctrine we so often sweep aside for what we think is meat.
AND, if He commanded it*... and we don't do it.... is that sin? Methinkso.
The rest doesn't really matter if we miss this one.

Lord, help us all



Bless you ....><>

*no if about it, He did command it
BUT... don't forget that first He said, LISTEN, HEAR
so we should hearken!
Did Adam and Eve listen?

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29-31

And let us give thanks to God, let us drop to our knees and give thanks that He has provided

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:25-26

hear.... listen ....><>

 

[Br. Bear]

God does not change... did He lose His compassion for people?

New International Version
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

New Living Translation
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.

English Standard Version
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

Berean Study Bible
Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.

King James Bible
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Christian Standard Bible
Because of the LORD's faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD's kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed.

Good News Translation
The LORD's unfailing love and mercy still continue,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Because of the LORD's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.

International Standard Version
Because of the LORD's gracious love we are not consumed, since his compassions never end.

NET Bible
The LORD's loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end.


New Heart English Bible
The LORD's faithful love does not cease; his compassion does not fail.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
the LORD's mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited.

JPS Tanakh 1917
Surely the LORD'S mercies are not consumed, Surely His compassions fail not.

New American Standard 1977
The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.

Jubilee Bible 2000
Chet It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed because his mercies never diminish.

King James 2000 Bible
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

American King James Version
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

American Standard Version
It is of Jehovah's lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Heth. The mercies of the Lord that we are not consumed: because his commiserations have not failed.

Darby Bible Translation
It is of Jehovah's loving-kindness we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not;

English Revised Version
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

World English Bible
[It is of] Yahweh's loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassion doesn't fail.

Young's Literal Translation
The kindnesses of Jehovah! For we have not been consumed, For not ended have His mercies.

Lamentations 3:22


They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23

 

[Curtis]

The reason why God destroyed the earth with a flood was NOT because men were doing wickedness, it was because man's "thoughts" were wicked all the time!

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Gen 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Man can stop doing "evil" while he is still thinking wickedness, but he is just deceiving his own heart, and the people round about him.

True "repentance" is NOT stopping from doing evil, it is not "thinking evil". Man is not a sinner because of what he does, it is because of what he thinks.
To repent means, "to change your mind"

Here is true repentance.

Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

 

[B-A-C]

Man can stop doing "evil" while he is still thinking wickedness, but he is just deceiving his own heart, and the people round about him.

Good point.
Of course the flip side of this is...

We can think something is evil, but keep on "doing" it. Those people are just as deceived.

 

[Br. Bear]

"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?"
Romans 11:34

 

[B-A-C]

One thing that strikes me is the combination with the preference over sacrifice.
If you were a Jew, what would that mean? Was it David who sacrificed a bull every seven steps when they were moving the arc? Full bottle stuff we little 21st Century mites know so little about in our daily lives.

However, the main gist i think you are making is that which the Lord said were the greatest commandments, namely love... God and man, with everything you've got... and may i add, expecting nothing in return.

What would it mean to a Jew... good question. I admit, I'm not Jewish, so.... this is a guess.

I think Jews in the OT got into this habit. I'll sin... then I'll go make a sacrifice for it to make up for it.
Kind of like the Roman Catholic concept of indulgences. I'll sin, then I'll go give the church some money and "make it right".
(kind of like a penance for sin)

I think God didn't really want the sacrifices. He would much rather we just obeyed Him from the start so the sacrifices didn't have to be offered.

There is a song by Ray Boltz. "Do you still feel the nails (every time I sin)". Some churches believe something like... the blood of Jesus is in
a bank account of sorts. And every time we sin a little more blood has to be taken out of the account. The account has more than enough for everyone,
so it will never run out. (some go so far as to say, that whenever it does run out, that's when Jesus will come back) but even though it doesn't ever
run out, there is still a cost to Jesus everytime we sin. Hence... "if you love me.... keep my commandments".

Not all Christians believe this, but it's something to think about. If it is true, God would much rather we just loved one another than
having to go make another "withdrawal" at the bank.

I think it's interesting that when Jesus chased the money lenders out of the temple, He also chased out "those who were selling doves" ( John 2:16; )
It seems that some churches make a business out of your sin. Give us some money.. and "WE" will forgive your sin.

It seems you can keep on sinning as much as you want, as long as you keep on "making the sacrifice".

 

[Curtis]

The scribes and Pharisees did all right things according to their actions, but they were full of dead men's bones on the inside. You never clean the outside of your life (actions), and then the inside gets clean automatically.!!.
You first "clean" the inside (man;s thoughts), and then the outside (man's actions) automatically becomes clean. Stop doing evil (sin) means nothing when the inside is unclean!

Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Mat 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

 

[At Peace]

The reason why God destroyed the earth with a flood was NOT because men were doing wickedness, it was because man's "thoughts" were wicked all the time!

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Gen 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

You have focused in on the last part of verse 5, and have missed the part before the word "and".

Man can stop doing "evil" while he is still thinking wickedness, but he is just deceiving his own heart, and the people round about him.

The folks in jail are proof of that.

True "repentance" is NOT stopping from doing evil, it is not "thinking evil". Man is not a sinner because of what he does, it is because of what he thinks.
To repent means, "to change your mind"

I feel that the "two" are inseparable.

Here is true repentance.
Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Amen to that.

Of course, having written that, you must realize that those still DOING wickedness have neither repented nor lived according to the Spirit.
The great gifts of God are still available to them if they will "change theri minds"

 

[Curtis]

DOING wickedness have neither repented nor lived according to the Spirit.

Like the scribes, and Pharisees that did righteous acts but were still wicked in themselves!!! Outward actions means nothing unless a person is clean inside! Becoming sanctified always starts on the inside of a person NEVER on the outside!!!

 

[At Peace]

Like the scribes, and Pharisees that did righteous acts but were still wicked in themselves!!! Outward actions means nothing unless a person is clean inside! Becoming sanctified always starts on the inside of a person NEVER on the outside!!!

Yes...the decision to obey God comes before the actual obedience.