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God's Response to Repentance in Scripture and Tradition

God's response to repentance is consistently portrayed in Scripture as one of mercy, forgiveness, and a renewed relationship, though it is often conditioned on the sincerity and nature of that repentance. The concept of repentance itself involves a change of mind and purpose, leading to a change in life [2].

The Old Testament frequently illustrates God's readiness to pardon. Nehemiah 9:17 describes God as "ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness," who does not forsake His people despite their rebellion [7]. This divine characteristic is a recurring theme, where God's forbearance is shown even when Israel's repentance is short-lived or insincere, motivating Him to exercise patience [12]. The Psalms emphasize God's nature to reconcile and forgive, but also highlight that He "requires confession and repentance" [11]. Confession of sin is a prerequisite, which God requires and regards, promising pardon to those who confess and forsake their sin [6]. This confession should be accompanied by submission to punishment, prayer for forgiveness, self-abasement, godly sorrow, and restitution [6].

In the New Testament, the call to repentance is central to the message of both John the Baptist and Jesus. John proclaimed, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" [9]. Jesus also came to call sinners to repentance [1]. The Greek word metanoia, often translated as repentance, signifies a profound change of mind and purpose, leading to a transformed life, to which the remission of sin is promised [2]. This is distinct from metamelomai, which denotes regret or remorse but not necessarily a change of heart [2]. Judas's repentance, for example, is described using metamelomai, indicating regret without true transformation [2].

God actively facilitates repentance. It is "given by God" and is a result of the operation of the Holy Spirit [1]. Christ is exalted to give repentance [1]. The long-suffering and goodness of God are intended to lead individuals to repentance [1]. For instance, Romans 2:4 states that "the goodness of God" leads to repentance [1].

When individuals or communities repent, God's response is to avert judgment or restore favor. In Revelation, the churches are commanded to "Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth" [3]. This demonstrates that repentance can prevent divine judgment. The proper response to God's judgment and devastation is repentance and prayer [10].

The theological understanding of God's response to repentance also involves the concept of atonement. Romans 3:25 explains that God sent Christ as "an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance" [4]. The atonement, foreordained and effected by Christ alone, exhibits God's grace, mercy, and love, reconciling His justice and mercy [5]. This means that God's forgiveness upon repentance is not arbitrary but is grounded in the sacrificial work of Christ.

While God is described as "slow to anger" and abundant in loving kindness [7], the Bible also presents God as jealous and one who "reuengeth" and "reserueth wrath for his enemies" [8]. However, this wrath is often averted or mitigated by genuine repentance. The divine attribute of "repentance" when applied to God, as Adam Clarke notes in his commentary on Romans 11:29, signifies a "change of purpose relative to some declarations" rather than a change of mind in the human sense of regret or error [13]. This means God's declared intentions or judgments can be altered in response to human repentance, reflecting His consistent character of mercy and justice.

The call to repentance is universal, commanded to all by God [1]. It is a call to "repentance to life" and "repentance to salvation" [1]. This implies that God's response to repentance is not merely the absence of punishment, but the bestowal of new life and salvation. The goodness of God, His long-suffering, and even His chastisements are all means by which He seeks to draw humanity to this transformative change [1].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Repentance — What it is -- Isa 45:22; Mt 6:19-21; Ac 14:15; 2Co 5:17; Col 3:2; 1Th 1:9; Heb 12:1,2. Commanded to all by God -- Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30. Commanded by Christ -- Re 2:5,16; 3:3. Given by God -- Ac 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. Christ came to call sinners to -- Mt 9:13. Christ exalted to give -- Ac 5:31. By the operation of the Holy Spirit -- Zec 12:10. Called repentance to life -- Ac 11:18. Called repentance to salvation -- 2Co 7:10. We should be led to, by The long-suffering of God. -- Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9. The goodness of God. -- Ro 2:4. The chastisements of Go”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
  3. Revelation “Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. -- Revelation 2:16”
  4. Romans “whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; -- Romans 3:25”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confession of Sin — God requires -- Le 5:5; Ho 5:15. God regards -- Job 33:27,28; Da 9:20-23. Exhortation to -- Jos 7:19; Jer 3:13; Jas 5:16. Promises to -- Le 26:40-42; Pr 28:13. Should be accompanied with Submission to punishment. -- Le 26:41; Ne 9:33; Ezr 9:13. Prayer for forgiveness. -- 2Sa 24:10; Ps 25:11; 51:1; Jer 14:7-9,20. Self-abasement. -- Isa 64:5,6; Jer 3:25. Godly sorrow. -- Ps 38:18; La 1:20. Forsaking sin. -- Pr 28:13. Restitution. -- Nu 5:6,7. Should be full and unreserved -- Ps 32:5; 51:3; 106:6. Followed by pardon -- Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9. Illustrated -”
  7. Nehemiah “and refused to obey, neither were they mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them. -- Nehemiah 9:17”
  8. Nahum “Nahum 1:2 (Geneva1599) — God is ielous, and the Lord reuengeth: the Lord reuengeth: euen the Lord of anger, the Lord will take vengeance on his aduersaries, and he reserueth wrath for his enemies.”
  9. Matthew ““Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” -- Matthew 3:2”
  10. Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 2:18: 2:18-19 Repentance and prayer are the proper responses when facing the devastation of God’s judgment.”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 32:5: 32:5 God has forgiven the guilt and rebellion of 32:1. The Lord’s nature is to reconcile and forgive (78:38; 85:2; 130:4), but he requires confession and repentance.”
  12. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 78:32: 78:32-39 Israel’s rebellion resulted in God’s judgment, but even their short-lived and insincere repentance motivated God to exercise forbearance.”
  13. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 11:29: For the gifts and calling of God, etc. - The gifts which God has bestowed upon them, and the calling - the invitation, with which he has favored them he will never revoke. In reference to this point there is no change of mind in him; and therefore the possibility and certainty of their restoration to their original privileges, of being the people of God, of enjoying every spiritual blessing with the fullness of the Gentiles, may be both reasonably and safely inferred. Repentance, when applied to God, signifies simply change of purpose relative to some declarations ”
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