When People Find No Place
for Repentance
Terry W. Benton
If grace so freely covers all sin without repentance, why was Paul so concerned that he warned night and day with tears about people in the church teaching false doctrine? I have a hard time reading Paul’s warnings to Timothy and come away with the modern lackadaisical attitudes toward sin and error.
At Galatia, there is no indication that the ones who wanted to bind circumcision were consciously rejecting Jesus as the Son of God. They were not denying His death, burial, and resurrection. They were simply adding circumcision as a requirement. Yet, Paul said he was “afraid for them” (Galatians 4:11) and said that such was a perversion of the gospel or “another gospel” than what they preached (Galatians 1:6-10). But so what? If grace covers all things without repentance, what is the big deal?
Of Esau, the record says, “he found no place for repentance” (Hebrews 12:17). This seems to be the problem with sin and the misuse of grace by the modern grace-fellowship advocate. The reason Paul was so concerned about false teaching, even a small addition to the gospel like circumcision, was because people tend to accept a false doctrine and “find no place for repentance.”
If people could find a place in their thinking for repentance, grace would abundantly pardon. When the people on Pentecost asked, ‘What shall we do?” and Peter told them to “repent” and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, 3,000 found a place in their hearts for repentance. Simon the Sorcerer would be cleansed and pardoned again if he could find a place for repentance (Acts 8:22). David was cleansed of his sins, but only because he found a place in his thinking for repentance (Psalm 51). The people of Nineveh could save their nation from coming disaster if they could find a place for repentance, and for a while they did (Matthew 12:41).
Paul was afraid to come to see the brethren at Corinth and find this situation: ”I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practice” (II Corinthians 12:21). Grace does not automatically pardon and cover our sins if we find no place for repentance. God warned the church at Thyatira that like He gave a Jezebel woman “time to repent … and she did not repent” (Revelation 2:20-22) He might find them in the same danger. She found no place in her thinking to repent. The church was in the same danger unless they could find a place for repentance.
The common danger of the doctrine of “once-saved-always-saved” and of the modern doctrine of grace-fellowship is that in neither doctrine is there a place for repentance. Thus, it is one of Satan’s most effective wiles. Beware of holding to an attitude or a doctrine that leaves you or loved ones finding no place for repentance toward sins committed against God and man. When people “turn the grace of God into license” (Jude 4-5), they usually “find no place for repentance.”
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Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak,
Slow to Wrath
Mike Johnson
In James 1:19, James addresses his “beloved brethren” and gives a vital warning. The verse says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Contextually, this appeal seems to refer mainly to our disposition toward God’s Word (1:18, 21, 22). We are to be swift (quick/speedy) to listen to God’s Word. We are to hear God’s Word with eagerness; we are to listen to it with an attentive mind. We are also to be slow to speak, i.e., slow to begin speaking. We are not to talk back or show displeasure at the teaching of God’s Word.
Further, it is hard for anyone to learn while talking. The text also says that we are to be slow to wrath. An angry person is generally not very receptive to the truth, and it is hard for him to listen to God when he is full of anger and bitterness. Thus, we are to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath concerning hearing God’s Word.
The principles in James 1:19 about hearing and speaking would also apply more generally. Have you ever had a conversation with someone who hardly let you get a word in, and when you did say something, you felt they were not listening? I am sure this has happened to most everyone. Perhaps we have been guilty ourselves of being quick to speak and slow to hear, rather than ready to listen and slow to speak. We need to be good listeners so we can gain knowledge and wisdom.
There have been many maxims in different societies that express the idea of being slow to speak and quick to hear. In ancient times, for example, it was said, “Men have two ears, and one tongue, that they should hear more than they speak.” Another old expression was, “The ears are always open, ever ready to receive instruction, but the tongue is surrounded with a double row of teeth, to hedge it in, and to keep it within proper bounds.” Many years ago, a man was reproached and chose to remain silent. Someone asked him why, and he replied, “I have sometimes had to regret that I have spoken, never that I was silent.” A maxim many are probably familiar with says, “Speech is silver, silence is golden.”
Various Bible passages speak of the tongue in a similar way as James 1:19. Proverbs 10:19 says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” Proverbs 29:20 has these words of wisdom: “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Today, in all areas, we must be slow to wrath. Anger itself is not wrong (Eph. 4:26). The real question is how we handle our anger. Do we let rage, which will lead to other sins, stay with us? We should not be quick to anger; we should not go around ready to “explode.” Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
We need to make sure that we follow the commandment in James 1:19: be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.
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What Do You See in a Casket?
Jarrod M. Jacobs
After the loss of our sister Goldie last week, as I looked at her body in the casket (James 2:26), the question that I used in the title came to my mind. All people must face the reality of death. There is not a day that goes by that someone on this earth is not affected by the death of a friend, loved one, or acquaintance. On some occasions, when people die, we may have to comfort and console those grieving at the loss of their loved ones. At other times, we will be the ones enduring grief and loss while friends and family come to comfort us.
Generally, after one has died, there is an opportunity given for the survivors to see that person’s corpse one last time before it is buried in the earth. As people file past and view the body of a loved one that last time, many thoughts flood the mind, no doubt. In light of this, let us ask the question, “What do you see when you look in a casket?” I believe there are many things we ought to see when viewing that body for the final time. When you look into a casket to view that body, you see:
The End of a Journey on Earth
The body in that casket declares that our life is a short journey at its longest! David says, “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalms 90:9-10). Do any of these descriptions suggest that we might live forever? No! We have a temporary stay upon this earth. James said, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Let us appreciate what we see when we look into the casket!
Scripture Fulfilled
We mentioned Psalm 90:9-10 and James 4:14, which declare the temporary nature of this life. In addition to these, remember that the Holy Spirit said, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Appointed means, “to be reserved; fig. to await:–(be) laid up” (Strong’s). Therefore, it is a promise that all will die. It is “reserved” or “laid up” by God that this will happen. The only ones who will not experience physical death are those who are “alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:15). Since we do not know when this will be, the wise choice is to prepare now for death. Hebrews 9:27 is fulfilled daily. This is a fact! Let us be wise as we look into the casket and see the body of a loved one and prepare for eternity.
The End of Decision-Making
Think of all the things we put off until “tomorrow.” Yet, for some, “tomorrow” never comes. Whatever decisions they had to make are forever left undone, and the words they wanted to speak are now left unsaid.
If one has not become a Christian by the time he has died, he can no longer make the choice to turn his life over to God. It is now too late. The Bible teaches that “now is the accepted time” and “now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). The Hebrew writer said, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15). If we are going to decide to leave our lives of sin and live for Christ, we better make this decision now before it is too late! At death, our decision-making days are over!
The End of Earthly Work
Upon looking into the casket, we see the end of opportunities and earthly service. It is the end of teaching others the truth. It is the end of actively being a good example. (We know that Hebrews 11:4 and Revelation 14:13 apply.) A righteous person’s godly deeds have ended at death.
At the same time, if the one who has died has lived wickedly, the wickedness has stopped as well. He will no longer be actively involved in evil deeds, nor will he be saying evil things.
Looking into the casket, we see one who will do nothing more upon this earth. Once our soul slips from our body (James 2:26), this ends our earthly work.
The End of a Family Relationship
Some do not realize the fact that at death, certain relationships end. Both Christ and Paul dealt with this fact. For example, the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection (Matthew 22:23), confronted Christ as to who a woman might be married to at the resurrection had she been married and widowed by several men (Matthew 22:24-28). Jesus answers by saying, “In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30).
Paul taught that when a mate dies, the surviving spouse has the right to marry another (Romans 7:1-3). He said, “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband” (Romans 7:2). When looking into the casket, we will at times witness the end of an earthly relationship and see a surviving spouse that is no longer bound in marriage to anyone. Marriage is for this earth-life only.
The End of the Ability to Change Our Eternal Destiny
It is only while we live upon this earth that we have the chance to change our eternal destiny. Only in this life can we make the choice to leave Satan and live for God. After death, we will not be able to choose to do what is right, nor will we forsake the wrong.
A prime example of this is in Luke 16:19-31. After the rich man and Lazarus died, the rich man was told there was no way that he could leave the place of torment to be in Paradise with Abraham and Lazarus (Luke 16:26). After our deaths, all that remains in our future is that day of judgment where “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). Paul taught, “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).
This is why it is vital that we turn from our sins and become Christians now before it is too late! This life is the only time in which we can follow the Lord’s plan for salvation (Mark 16:16) and live faithfully for Him (Revelation 2:10) so that we can see Heaven in eternity!
Ourselves in a Short Time
“The living know that they shall die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Looking into the casket, we see “the end of all men” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). We see something we need to lay to our heart (Ecclesiastes 7:2). We need to understand that looking into the casket and viewing that corpse indicates where we will all be one day. We should see ourselves in that place in just a little while, for our life is “a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). How carefully are we considering our ways?
Conclusion
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). Our Lord taught the parable of the rich fool, a man who had provided for himself but was not “rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21). After providing only for his physical needs, God took him from this earth, asking, “Who will own what you have prepared?” (Luke 12:20, NAS). We don’t know what will happen in a day. Nor do we know when the time will come for people to file past our casket for the last time.
Let us get our priorities straight! David asked God to “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalms 90:12). How badly we need to be taught this! Let us put God’s kingdom and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). Let us live faithfully for the Lord all of our life (Revelation 2:10). Let us appreciate the brevity of this life and make the most of every day by being the kind of person God wants us to be. Let us serve Him all the days of our lives so that at the end of this journey on earth, people will not walk by our casket and weep, but take comfort that we sleep “in Jesus” (I Thessalonians 4:13-14).
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Looking Forward to
Bible Study
Frank Himmel
“My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word”
(Psalm 119:148).
Kids like to go to Bible class. They come into the building and head straight for their classrooms. When they come out, they can’t wait to show Mom and Dad what they did. I’ve seen considerable disappointment on some little faces, and at times even tears, when on Sunday evenings they march off to class, only to be told this is not class time.
How about adults? Do we have the same enthusiasm for Bible study? Some do. They always read the text and answer questions ahead of time. Their questions and comments indicate they have been thinking about the text, either forming an opinion or perhaps wondering what something means. Others show less interest. They rarely bring their lesson books, and when they do, the book is likely blank. Some are just as likely to be absent as present. They view the worship hour as mandatory but the Bible study hour as optional. When such little value is placed on public study, it would be surprising indeed if much private study takes place.
The psalmist eagerly awaited nightfall, when “the daily grind” ended and he was free to reflect on God’s word. What do you do with your spare time?
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You Finish the Story
There was once a congregation in which every member was just like you. Each one cooperated and supported every phase of the work just like you. Everyone worked as hard and attended the same services and gospel meetings that you did. The elders, deacons, and preacher were all as interested in the church as you are. They put the same emphasis on recreation, business, and other material affairs that you do. Each member contributed monetarily, just like you do. Within a year or so, the congregation……….
Via Walking in the Light
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Editor: Mike Johnson
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