Personal Development Book for Portuguese Readers

God's Word clearly teaches that, in this dispensation as well as in previous ones, God requires a deep and sincere repentance before forgiving any sinner. Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation, just as essential as faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we read in the following Scriptural passages: "but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3), "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18), and "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret" (2 Corinthians 7:10). The language here could not be more explicit.

Therefore, in light of these verses and others yet to be cited, we cannot but view with sadness those who now claim that in this dispensation, repentance is not essential for salvation, considering them as deceivers of souls and blind guides leading the blind. Some of the most prominent preachers who call themselves "dispensational truth teachers" insist that repentance belongs to a past period, being entirely "Judaic," and they completely deny that in this era, God requires the sinner's repentance before he can be saved, clearly rejecting what is said in Acts 17:30: "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

Others, in moving away from salvation through good works, have failed to properly maintain the balance of truth and give due place to passages like Proverbs 28:13: "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy," and Isaiah 55:7: "let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him." It is not that there is any merit in the sinner's compliance with this just requirement of God, but rather that the claims of the Holy One must be presented to those who have transgressed against Him.

However, this is exactly what the proud rebel least desires to hear, and the sad reality is that many are now, consciously or unconsciously, refraining from speaking what is displeasing to men but honors God. How widespread this silence is can be quickly discovered through an examination of current tracts that purport to explain how a sinner can be saved. In most of them, not a word is said about repentance.

Even when it is maintained that repentance is necessary before a sinner can be saved, often shallow and superficial views of what repentance truly is are presented. In many places, it is assumed that if a person sheds tears or appears broken-hearted over the wicked behaviors they have adopted, this is clear evidence that a saving work of divine grace has begun in that person's heart. But this in no way corresponds to reality. The greatest agonies of a troubled conscience are not equal to the conviction of sin produced by the Holy Spirit. Esau wept bitterly, yet was not regenerated. Felix trembled before Paul's preaching, but there is no indication in Scripture that he went to heaven. Multitudes are deceived on this point, and there is precious little in current preaching that is capable of extricating them from this deception.

Each of us who values our soul and is concerned about our eternal destiny will do well to carefully examine our repentance in the light of Scripture, to ascertain whether it is of human or divine origin, whether it is natural or supernatural.

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