The ABC’s of Repentance – by Joseph A. Cortes

Open your bible to 2 Corinthians 7:8-10.

The whole purpose of this section of the letter to the Corinthians was to get them to trust in Christ alone for Salvation; to quit trusting in their works. I’m going to break these verses down so you understand exactly what is being said, so no one can use them against you by trying to describe something that isn’t there. Moreover, with this knowledge, you will be able to apply it in your life and explain it to others who might be confused or misguided concerning the interpretation of these verses.

Recently I was listening to a very famous preacher. He just held a conference and charged $200-$300 to attend (I don’t remember the exact cost; I didn’t go.) He pulled in about $850,000 and that probably isn’t including all the Jesus-junk that was sold. Conferences are big business, but to tell you the truth, I don’t even care about the money. Again, my concern is how Christians are being misled concerning Salvation. The main speaker in this conference was telling these gullible people—I am assuming most of them were gullible—that they shouldn’t be concerned about being theologically correct. Listen, I know no one is going to be 100% theologically correct, including myself. You have seen me change my opinions. It’s called spiritual growth that comes from studying God’s word. Thank God, the last thing I want is to become a stale Christian with no growth potential. Back to this preacher. One of the things on his list was not to be concerned with Salvation. I have told you many times in this series, that is where it starts; it is one area you cannot get wrong. Therefore, it is important to be theologically correct on that topic. His gist was instead of worrying about that, be more concerned about being in “oneness with Christ.” Everyone be “kumbaya” with Christ. Now, I wish we all could be in oneness with Christ—especially concerning Salvation and how important it is to have a genuine relationship with Christ. I would more than love that to happen. It would be wonderful to see. What and how they preach is no different than a rat trap: they lure you in with— (I was going to say with some quality cheese, but it’s not even that, there’s nothing of quality about it)—some cheese and as soon as you are close enough, they’ve got you. In this conference, there was some truth being laid out, but that is how you’re lured in.

In the past I have share some of the books I go through. With some, I hope to get a paragraph out of it. I’m down to that. The rest is fireplace material. As I get older, the more I’m turned off with the nonsense that I hear and read about Salvation and what they preach concerning repentance. I have said that for a while now. I am so tired of hearing this “oneness in Christ.” It is just another effort of works. If only we all could get along with each other… which we’re not able to do. Christ will do the correcting eventually (for the ones that make the cut), and we will all be at “oneness in Christ” at that point, but until we get there, I don’t see it happening. I wish I was wrong, and I pray that I am wrong, but I just don’t see that happening. And this “oneness with Christ” is just another effort of man trying to unify themselves into believing that Christ is more pleased with that than He is with us trusting Him and His word, trusting in Him and His Son above everything else. It’s a trap, but hopefully I have covered enough ground through the years that you can see these things for yourself as you read or listen to these individuals that preach another gospel.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10,

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Paul seems like he’s just rattling on (it doesn’t seem that clear, especially reading the King James Version), but in verse 10, you can come away with the illusion in the King James (and other versions of the bible) that just by being sorrowful for what you’ve done brings you repentance. Sorry, that doesn’t cut it.

We must put to rest the notion that you must quit sinning in order to be born from above or born again. That is not what 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 is stating. Also, I want you to understand God’s original intent (through Paul) by using the original Greek language. I briefly mentioned this before but now I want to give you more details. Let’s just call these three-word variations the ABC’s of Repentance and I’ll explain what they really mean. I am going to try and make it as clear as I can for you using all the variations of the word repent that we find in these verses.

Now this passage consists of three verses where we see three variations of the Greek word metanoia or repent. Therefore, I want you to put “A”, “B”, or “C” at the areas I tell you to put them. Assign the letter “A” to metanoia; the most simple and clear definition of that word is “a change of mind.” Assign the letter “B” to metamelomai; simply it means to “feel sorry” or “regret.” Finally, assign the letter “C” to ametameletos; the clearest definition of this Greek variation of the word repentance means now you are put in a position where “you cannot change your mind,” a more permanent position, it is “irrevocable.”

Now let’s read the verses again and place the letters where they apply:

“For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, [Place the letter “A” here. The definition that applies here is a “change of mind.”] though I did repent: [Place the letter “B” here, metamelomai; “I regret” or “I feel sorry.”] for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: [Place the letter “A” here, metanoia, “a change of mind.”] for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance [Place the letter “A”, “a change of mind.”] to salvation not to be repented [Place the letter “C” here; “irrevocable” or “you cannot change your mind”] of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Now, you still might be a little confused, even though you have all the letters and the definitions of these words, the ABC’s of Repentance, but I am going to show you how it would read if put into today’s everyday language:

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not change my mind about the reasons that were necessary to make you feel bad, though I did feel sorry for having to upset you. For I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to changing your mind from trusting in works, to trusting in Christ alone. For ye were sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For Godly sorry worketh that change of mind from works to Christ to salvation not to be revoked once saved. God cannot change His mind. But the sorrow of the world worketh death. God cannot change his mind. He saves you forever. Now, it is not part of the verse but, “as long as you keep trusting in what His Son did” should be added. I want to add that though it isn’t part of these verses.

What these verses prove is repentance in Salvation means a change of mind from works; or, even a change of mind in Discipleship, because that is usually where people include works—or whatever other combination of spiritual mumbo jumbo they come up with. You cannot say you have faith in Christ and then add on your works. Now, I never said Discipleship is not necessary, but it doesn’t save you. Isaiah called it like he saw it, and he called it “filthy” works. I am saying we are completely hopeless, and we are completely helpless without Jesus Christ. Only Christ’s righteousness can be seen by the Father as a worthy payment, not for His sin, but for ours. That is why when God perceives us now, He sees us with Christ’s righteousness, the robe of righteousness that Christ places on us that gives us that access. He removed our punishment, He removes our guilt that was rightfully ours because we were born with sinner’s blood, and He credits us with His righteousness.

Looking at 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” That is why He is called our Savior. That is why the death penalty is removed. That is why everlasting life is given. That is why we have access to the Father; we can come boldly to His throne. I have said it many times, but in John 6:47 Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” There are no other substitutions. I am sorry, it must be Jesus, the Christ, to have eternal life, to have access to that free gift, which comes the split second we trust in Christ who died for our sin. He was buried, and came back to life, came out of that tomb, and rose again. Quit trusting the Christian lifestyle. Quit trusting the preaching you hear about repentance and know what God’s Word clearly says about it. Do trust in Jesus, period.

Now I am not saying once you start trusting in Him and you have had that change of mind, He will allow you to live your life as you please. Far from it. He will chasten and correct you along your journey. But if you trust Him on a daily basis—and some days there will be more trusting going on than others—He’s not going to leave you, my friend, He isn’t going to let you go. That is probably the most wonderful thing He did besides what He came to fulfill for our benefit. Once that happens, through my stumbling, through my heartaches and my falls and my slipups, He is there ready to grab a hold of me. I can imagine him just picking me up by my shirt and saying, “Nope! This is the way we are going now. Get back on the path of trusting Me, I will direct your path.” And let me tell you, I am almost 60 years old and through my experiences, that is exactly what happens.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and keep trusting in Him and His Word.

Copyright 2019 Faith Cometh By Hearing

Please email us at email@teachingfaith.com if this has

encouraged and strengthened your faith.

In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it reads, “God loveth a cheerful giver.” The Greek word for cheerful is Hilaros which means when someone is prompt to do something, they are ready in mind, with a joyful heart. In the Septuagint it also means to cause to shine. Today I am looking for Hilaros Givers who are ready and full of joy for the opportunity to cause others to shine by hearing, learning, and growing in God’s Word.

Join with us today and participate as a Hilaros Giver. If you wish to participate use the following link: http://www.teachingfaith.com/giving

Write us at

Faith Cometh By Hearing

539 W. Commerce St., #577

Dallas, TX 75208