There is a large body of people who have completely twisted what it means to have “imputed righteousness.” To them, there is no need to repent of your sins. You don't have to “stop sinning” as a believer, they say, because you have “righteousness” and “perfection” imputed to you once you “believe” in Jesus. They have even changed the definition of repentance itself.
The original word used for “repentance” in the New Testament (with the exception of one verse which we will look at shortly) is the Chaldean word “metanoia” (μετάνοια, ας, ) which ἡ actually means “to reverse direction, to change one's mind, thinking, or ways,” and by implication means to “reverse a decision to do something.” Metanoia comes from the Chaldean word for “repent” which is “metanoeo” (μετανοώ). It means “to think differently or rethink afterwards, to reconsider.” That is what was meant in scripture when it says to “repent.” Yet, let's look at how the modern world has changed the meaning:
From Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:
“Repent- to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right.”
Using the modern definition of repent and coupling that with their application of Romans 7 to the believers, it becomes obvious that they do not believe the Bible definition of “true repentance” is even possible for the believer. We must only look at a few key verses from Romans 7 to understand the mindset of those who are living in this error.
Romans 7:
“14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.”
The above text describes the modern version of repentance. The carnal man, who is sold under sin, does not “want” to do what he is doing and feels remorse for his actions but cannot seem to stop doing it. He is “willing” to do good rather than evil but cannot find the way to do the good. Furthermore, this “carnal man” who is “sold under sin” wants to do good but only ever finds that evil is “present” with him. Finally, the conclusion is that it's not them doing the sin, it's this mysterious “sin force” that dwells inside them. This “sin curse.” That is the modern Christian take on repentance. That is the very definition of repent. “to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right.”
By that definition, every human being who ever lived was “repentant.” Except of course for sociopaths who feel no remorse and those who have no idea that what they are doing is even wrong, (those who have no law or morality to tell them to feel guilty). If repentance is just feeling sorry for your sins and wanting to change then everyone under the law, who consents that the law is right and good is a “repentant” sinner. That's what he says in verse 16: “If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.”
Paul here has said that by my admitting that what I am doing is wrong, and by repenting and expressing a desire not to do it anymore, I am consenting that the law is good.
Common sense, therefore dictates that modern repentance as it is taught today strengthens the law, because “sin is the strength of the law,” (1 Corinthians 15: 56) and without sin there can be no repentance. There can be no repentance without the law because where there is no law sin is not “imputed.”
Romans 5:
“13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. “
So, when Christ calls for the seven churches of Asia Minor (in Revelation) to “repent” Christ was in error under modern theology. Why? Because Christ was dictating those letters to his Churches, the believers, and according to modern theology there is no repentance after you “believe.” In order to repent one must be “under the law” and the modern Christians teach we are no longer under the law. The law no longer applies, and our sin is “not imputed” to the believer!
Modern theology teaches that a believer need only repent once. That in fact, repentance after one is a believer is impossible!
Hebrews 6:
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. The “once saved always saved” crowd uses the above verses as proof that no one can “fall away” or lose one's salvation. Their argument is very simple, if you could lose your salvation you would be doomed forever because the law is done away with after you repent. You are no longer under the law and cannot “repent” again.
Most of them will tell you that you “repent once” then all of your sins (whether they be past, present or future) are summarily forgiven as long as you believe and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus when you repent.
Repentance is done once according to them. It's another one of those common thread ideas that is found in all of the various denominations. We must ask the common sense question, if sin is not imputed and God does not see our sin, why would Christ call for believers to “repent” and “do the first works?
Revelation 2: 5
“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. “ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Revelation 2: 16
“Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Revelation 2:21
“And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Revelation 2:22
“Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Revelation 3:3
“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Revelation 3:19
“9 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
In the book of Revelation Christ speaks to all seven churches that existed in that day and time and he said that not only does he still see their sins, their sins are still imputed to them, and he calls them all to “repent.” So much for the idea that believers have no more sin, even if they sin all the time, because they are “no longer under the law.” So much for the teaching that only the non believer must repent.
Paul himself (remember Paul, the one they credit for first teaching we don't have to stop sinning). Paul said that if you are not being chastised for your sin, you are not a “son” but a “bastard child.” How are you going to be “chastised” and disciplined for your sins if God doesn't even see them anymore? How are you going to be chastised for sins that are no longer “imputed” to you?
Hebrews 12:
“3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as he does with sons; for what son is he whom the father does not chasten?
8 But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then you are nothing but bastards, and not sons.”
How can you be punished and disciplined for sins if your sins are not imputed to you anymore and you are considered“perfect” and “righteous?” The answer is, you cannot be punished at all for sins that God doesn't even recognize. If you are without sin you are “no longer under the law” and you cannot be disciplined for disobeying the law! Yet, here is Paul saying if you aren't chastised for sin you are a bastard.
Those who teach that God no longer sees their present sins, or their future sins, are not “sons” of God, for they cannot be chastised, nor can they be scourged when they sin. They are “bastards.” Peter called them “cursed children.” They who “cannot cease from sin.”
2 Peter 2:
“14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: “
If believer's sins are not “imputed to them” then why does Christ call for them to “repent?” Furthermore, if Christ is waiting for us to “repent” then how can we say that our sins are not “imputed” to us and God doesn't see them?
Those who have fallen into this deception can never be raptured. Christ is waiting for us to “repent.” He's holding back the day of his return not willing that any of us should perish, waiting for us to repent. Yet, those who say their sins are not “imputed” to them and that they are already righteous and perfect by imputation, are never going to repent, believing they have nothing for which to repent. They will “perish” at his second coming.
2 Peter 3:
“9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
True repentance is to turn your back on your wickedness and do righteousness. That has always been repentance in scriptures. We see this most clearly in Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 18:
“21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.” When scripture says that a man of faith is not “imputed” with sin, it's talking about past sins. It's talking about a man turning from his wickedness and unbelief and walking in
righteousness through faith. At that point, Ezekiel promises, “all his transgressions that he has committed (past tense) shall not be mentioned.” (Not be imputed). We know it's only talking about past sins for look what it says about the man if he turns back to his wickedness again:
Ezekiel 18:
“24 But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and
commits iniquity (sin), and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All his righteousness that he has done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die. “
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ezekiel 18:
“26 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies in them; for his iniquity that he has done shall he die.” Then, just for emphasis, Ezekiel repeats that in order to truly repent and receive eternal life the wicked must turn his back on his wickedness:
Ezekiel 18:
“28 Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”
your back” on sin and moving in the “opposite direction.” Changing your mind. Reversing your previous intentions to sin and making a commitment to do what is right and good.
Those who teach the version of repentance in which all you can do is “be sorry” for your sin, also teach that the only way to be “just” or “justified” in the sight of God is by the proxy righteousness of the Son of God. They teach, erroneously so, that not even faith justifies you (contrary to scripture) but that only the shed blood of Jesus Christ justifies.
Yet, Paul taught that a man is justified by faith, and justified by grace, and justified by the blood of Christ, while James taught that a man is justified by faith and the works that result from that faith.
Romans 5:
“1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: “
Many Christians now deny that we are justified by faith, saying rather that we are only justified by the “blood” of Jesus. This they take from the following verse:
Romans 5:
“8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
So, from the same chapter we get two conflicting statements.
First, it says we are “justified by faith” then it says we are “justified by his blood.” Those who want to destroy the true message of righteousness by faith and the true repentance that leads to Godliness in our deeds, have perverted the message of Romans 5. Let's look at some modern translations in order to thoroughly see how they have changed its meaning:
New Living Translation:
Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us
Holman Christian Standard Bible:
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
See how they have changed the pure simple message that by faith we believe in the power of God to bring us to Christlike perfection and Holiness to “we have been declared righteous in God's sight.” Not that we are righteous, mind you, no, they teach we remain sinners, sinning every day until the end of our lives but God doesn't see our sins, he “declares” us righteous simply because we “believe” in Jesus.
The true irony, of course, is that he who truly believes in Jesus is going to obey Jesus' words and do his works (righteousness) and therefore would be “declared righteous” because they “do righteousness.” Even as John wrote “Don't be deceived he that does righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:7)
When we Google this subject on the internet it becomes clear that there is great confusion in the world about this. People don't understand. They think that James and Paul were
contradicting each other. One saying that we are “justified by works” and the other saying we are “justified by faith,” and if that isn't confusing enough, we then have Paul changing his mind mid chapter and saying we are “justified by the blood of Christ.”
It never occurs to them that perhaps James and Paul are both right.
under James' teaching it can be said that we are justified by faith, for the faith brings the works. James concludes that faith without works is dead.
Paul, on the other hand focuses on how works without faith are equally as dead as faith without works. He shows us how, if we were justified by works alone, we wouldn't need faith. Conversely, if we are justified by faith alone who needs works? That is where the apostates go wrong.
Furthermore, Paul didn't really contradict himself when he says first “we are justified by faith” then “we are justified by the blood.” Because we wouldn't have our faith or our works without the blood. That faith and those works come only by the grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, sent as a result of Christ's shed blood.
So all three statements therefore are true. We are justified by the blood. We are justified by faith. We are justified by works (that result from that faith). A man who walks in sin is never “justified.” Scripture makes that abundantly clear and states that the only way to be “just” is to turn from your wickedness and “do that which is right.”
Ezekiel clearly states that only he who does righteousness is “justified:” Ezekiel 18
5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
6 And has not eaten upon the mountains, neither has lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither has defiled his neighbor's wife... … 8 He that has not given forth upon usury, neither has taken any increase, that has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Has walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.”
When we consider all the scriptures as a whole it becomes obvious that true repentance is to turn your back on sin. To have a “change of mind” in which you determine to walk righteous before the Lord. This can only come by true faith. Furthermore, it is a free gift for, God did not require us to turn from our wicked ways before he sent his Son to die for us and shed his blood. As Paul puts it, “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
This is why our salvation is “not by works of righteousness which we have done” (through