How Do You Know You’ve Truly Repented? | Paul Washer

Summary

This video script delves into the theological question of how a just and holy God can pardon sinners. It finds the answer in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, where God's wrath and justice are satisfied through Christ bearing the sins of humanity. The script emphasizes the necessity of repentance and faith in Jesus for salvation, illustrating the transformative power of a changed mind and heart. It concludes by asserting that true Christians, though they may sin, will be disciplined by a loving God, aiming for their holiness and growth in Christ's image.

Takeaways

• 😇 The concept of a 'good God' is terrifying to some because it raises questions about how a just and holy God can pardon sinners.
• 🔍 The script explores the theological dilemma of how a just God can forgive wicked people without compromising His justice and holiness.
• ✝️ The answer to this dilemma is found in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, where God's justice and wrath against sin are satisfied through Christ's sacrifice.
• 🙏 Jesus lived a perfect life as a man and took upon Himself the sins of humanity, enduring the punishment that was due to us, thus satisfying divine justice.
• 🛑 The phrase 'it is finished' signifies that Christ completed the necessary atonement for sins, paying the full price required by God's justice.
• ✟ The resurrection of Christ and His ascension to sit at God's right hand signifies His victory over sin and death, offering salvation to all who believe.
• 📣 The Bible calls for repentance from sins and faith in the gospel, emphasizing the necessity of a changed heart and mind for salvation.
• 💡 Repentance is more than just a change of mind; it involves a transformation of one's will, emotions, and decision-making process in alignment with God's truth.
• 🕊 Apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus exemplifies a profound change of mind that led to a complete shift in his beliefs and actions towards Christianity.
• 🌟 True repentance and faith in Jesus Christ will lead to ongoing spiritual growth, a deepening of one's relationship with God, and a transformation into Christ's likeness.
• 🛡 A real Christian may still sin, but the difference is that they cannot live in a continuous state of sin due to the sanctifying work of God in their life.

Q & A

What is the central dilemma addressed in the script regarding God's justice and holiness?

The script addresses the dilemma of how a just and holy God can pardon wicked people and still maintain His justice and holiness.

According to the script, where is the solution to the dilemma of God's justice and holiness found?

The solution is found in the cross of Jesus Christ, where God's justice is satisfied through Christ bearing the sins of humanity.

What does the script say about the significance of Jesus' statement 'it is finished'?

It signifies that Jesus completed the necessary atonement for sins, satisfying God's justice in full.

How does the script describe the role of Jesus' death and resurrection in salvation?

Jesus' death and resurrection are essential for salvation, as He paid the full price for sins and rose again to offer eternal life to those who believe.

What is the script's explanation of the necessity of repentance for salvation?

Repentance is necessary because it involves a complete change of mind and heart, aligning one's will, emotions, and intellect with God's truth about sin and redemption.

What does the script suggest about the Apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus?

Paul's conversion represents a profound change of mind, leading to a complete transformation in his beliefs and actions towards Christianity.

How does the script define repentance in the context of the Christian faith?

Repentance is defined as a deep change of mind and heart, leading to a transformation in one's view of reality, particularly regarding God, oneself, and Jesus Christ.

What is the script's view on the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation?

Faith in Jesus Christ is essential for salvation, as it recognizes the impossibility of self-redemption and places one's hope entirely in Christ's sacrifice.

How can one know if their faith in Christ is genuine according to the script?

Genuine faith is evidenced by ongoing growth in grace, deepening repentance, and transformation into the image of Christ over time.

What does the script say about the role of discipline in the life of a Christian?

Discipline is a sign of God's love and care, guiding and correcting Christians to maintain their path towards holiness.

How does the script describe the Gospel of Jesus Christ in terms of God's justice and human sin?

The Gospel is the message that God's justice has been satisfied through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, offering salvation to all who repent and believe.

Outlines

00:00

😇 The Paradox of Divine Justice and Love

This paragraph explores the theological dilemma of how a just and holy God can pardon sinful humans. It emphasizes the role of the cross of Jesus Christ as the divine solution, where God's justice is satisfied through Christ bearing the sins of humanity. The speaker explains that Christ's sacrifice and resurrection provide the only means of salvation, and that salvation requires repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The concept of repentance is further elaborated as a profound change of mind and heart, leading to a transformation in one's will and emotions towards sin and righteousness.

05:03

🌟 The Transformation Through Repentance and Faith

The second paragraph delves into the transformative power of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It discusses the Apostle Paul's conversion as an example of a radical change of mind leading to a complete shift in one's life direction. The paragraph challenges the viewer to examine their own repentance and faith, highlighting the necessity of a genuine change in mindset and lifestyle. It also addresses the ongoing process of sanctification, where a true Christian cannot remain in a state of continuous sin due to God's transformative work in their life, and the assurance of God's discipline and guidance towards holiness.

10:03

📢 Engaging with the Gospel Message

The final paragraph serves as a call to action for viewers to engage with the content of the video. It encourages viewers to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel for more content, and to enable notifications to stay updated. This paragraph is less about theological content and more about viewer interaction and channel promotion.

Keywords

💡God's Justice

God's Justice refers to the divine attribute of fairness and righteousness that demands punishment for sin. In the video, it is explained as the reason why a 'just God' cannot simply pardon sinners without compromising His justice. The script discusses how God's justice is satisfied through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, where He bore the sins of humanity and the wrath of God, thus allowing for the pardoning of sinners while maintaining God's justice.

💡Sinners

Sinners are individuals who have committed sins against God, others, and nature. The script emphasizes that all people are sinners and are in need of redemption. The concept is central to the video's theme, as it sets the stage for the discussion on how a just and holy God can pardon these individuals through the atonement made by Jesus Christ.

💡Atonement

Atonement is the theological concept of making amends or reparations for sin, particularly the reconciliation between God and humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The script explains that our sins were atoned for because Jesus bore our sin on the cross, satisfying the wrath of God and paving the way for our redemption.

💡Cross of Jesus Christ

The Cross of Jesus Christ is the central symbol of Christianity, representing the crucifixion of Jesus and His sacrificial death for the sins of humanity. The video emphasizes the cross as the place where God's justice and wrath were appeased, allowing for the salvation of sinners.

💡Repentance

Repentance is the act of changing one's mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God. In the script, it is described as more than a superficial change of mind; it involves a transformation of the will, emotions, and intellect. The Apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus is given as an example of true repentance, where his entire perspective on reality changed, leading him to become a follower and preacher of Christ.

💡Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith in Jesus Christ is the belief and trust in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. The video explains that salvation comes through both repentance and faith, recognizing that there is nothing in us that can save us, and that our hope is entirely in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.

💡Eternal Life

Eternal life is the promise of everlasting existence with God, granted to those who believe in Jesus Christ. The script mentions that if one truly believes in Christ, they have eternal life, which is a gift of God's grace through faith.

💡Transformation

Transformation in the context of the video refers to the ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus Christ. It is the evidence of true faith and repentance, as believers are gradually conformed to the image of Christ, growing in grace and deepening in their understanding and relationship with God.

💡Discipline

Discipline, as mentioned in the script, is the act of correction or training, especially in a moral or spiritual sense. It is a sign of God's love and care for His children, as He disciplines those who have strayed from the path to guide them towards holiness and righteousness.

💡Holiness

Holiness is the state of being morally and spiritually pure, dedicated to God. The video discusses how true Christians cannot live in a continuous state of sin or carnality because they are part of God's providence, and God desires their holiness, working in them to will and to act according to His good purpose.

💡Gospel

The Gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the message that God is just, humanity is sinful and in need of redemption, and that salvation is found in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The script calls all people to believe the Gospel, which is the means by which they can be saved.

Highlights

The paradox of a good God dealing with sinners is addressed, questioning the justice and holiness of God in the face of human sin.

The cross of Jesus Christ is presented as the solution to the dilemma of divine justice and human sin.

God's dual nature of justice and love is reconciled through the sacrifice of Jesus, bearing the sins of humanity.

The atonement of sins through Christ's suffering on the cross satisfies the divine justice required for humanity's redemption.

Christ's declaration 'It is finished' signifies the completion of the atonement for sins, fulfilling God's justice.

The resurrection of Christ and his ascension to the right hand of God signifies victory over sin and death.

Salvation is offered through faith in Jesus Christ, the only name given for salvation according to the transcript.

Repentance is defined as a profound change of mind, affecting the heart, will, emotions, and decision-making.

A change of mind leads to a transformation in one's life, as illustrated by the Apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.

Repentance involves recognizing and rejecting one's sinful nature and embracing God's truth about oneself and Jesus Christ.

Faith in Jesus Christ is recognizing the inability to save oneself and relying solely on Christ's sacrifice for salvation.

True belief in Christ is evidenced by a continued growth in grace and deepening of faith and repentance.

A real Christian may sin but cannot live in a continuous state of carnality due to God's transformative work in their life.

God's discipline and chastisement of believers is a sign of His love and desire for their holiness.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is summarized as God's justice being satisfied through Christ's sacrifice, offering salvation to all through repentance and faith.

The evidence of true repentance and faith in salvation is a life transformed towards holiness and continuous growth in Christ's likeness.

Transcripts

it's terrifying to know that God is good

because we are

not so what does a good god do with

people like us sinners we've sin against

God we've sinned against one another

we've sinned against nature we've sinned

against everything all of creation calls

for our condemnation if God is truly

just then what does he do with us if a

just God simply pardons the wicked he is

no longer just if a holy God calls the

wicked to himself to have fellowship

with him he's not a holy God so the

great question of all the scripture is

this how does a just God pardon Wicked

men and still be just how does a holy

God call wicked men into fellowship with

him and still be holy and the answer is

found in the cross of Jesus Christ in

the cross of Jesus Christ we see this

tremendous unique revelation of the

fullness of God's attributes God is just

he must condemn our sin God is love and

so he becomes a man in his son lives a

perfect life as a man and then goes to

that tree and on that tree the sins of

his people are cast upon him and all the

justice of God all the wrath of God that

we deserve is thrown down upon the head

of Christ the exact measure that was

required in order to fully satisfy the

justice of God after suffering Christ

said it is finished that meant he did

what was required to satisfy God's

justice against God's people he paid the

price in

full this is so very important to

understand that it wasn't that that our

sins were atoned for simply because the

Romans beat Jesus up and nailed him on a

cross our sins were atoned for because

on that tree he bore our sin and it

pleased the Lord it pleased Yahweh to

crush him

the wrath of God that should have fallen

upon me and you fell upon his only

begotten

son and he suffered it in full he paid

the price he died for the wages of sin

his death and on the third day he rose

again from the dead and now he's seated

at the right hand of God and there is no

other name no other name in any other

world there is no other name uh given to

men whereby we might be saved except for

the name of Jesus Christ he's the way

the truth truth and the life and no one

comes to the father except through him

there is one God and one mediator

between God and Men the man Christ Jesus

and in order to be saved the Bible calls

all men to repent of their sins and to

believe the gospel and what does it mean

to

repent many have defined the term as to

change one's mind that's what the word

means in Greek and and that truth is

there but that means so much more than

what you and I can conceive in our

culture today you think well to change

one's mind that's pretty superficial

well it might be but then it's not if

you understand what the mind is the mind

in the Bible refers to the the mind the

heart it is very it is the control

center of a human being it's the control

center of our will our emotions our

intellect our decisionmaking process and

so what he's saying is if you have

changed your mind everything else will

change along with it let me give you a

perfect description of repentance the

Apostle Paul he had a change of mind now

when he left to go on the road to

Damascus he left with orders to capture

Christians now why this is what he

believed this is what Paul thought Paul

thought that Jesus of Nazareth was the

greatest blasphemer who ever had walked

walk the planet that's what he thought

he also thought that the Christians were

a terrible sect that ought to be

destroyed that's what he thought and

then on the road to Damascus he had an

encounter with the resurrected Christ

and what

happened his thinking

changed his entire reality was proved to

be wrong everything he thought about

reality especially with regard to God

was wrong he recognized he was wrong and

began to think completely different he

now thought what that Jesus was the son

of God and the long awaited Messiah he

now thought that the Christians were the

very people of God the very Israel of

God and because his thoughts changed

everything else changed after being

baptized he began to minister and to

preach the gospel and to be persecuted

for the very faith that he was once

persecuting you see to repent is to

realize that all you're thinking your

entire view about reality was wrong and

then to see and to submit to God's truth

about who he is about who you are and

about who Jesus is and what he's done

for you now the question is have you

repented has your mind changed has that

change of mind led to a change of the

intellect a change of the will a change

of your emotions the sins you once loved

do you now hate the Holiness you once

ignored do you now desire the Christ

that you had no part with that you lived

apart from do you now esteem him do you

consider the Kingdom of Heaven to be a

pearl of great

price those are certain evidences

that a work of repentance has been done

in your heart not only must we repent

but we must believe in Jesus Christ to

recognize that there is absolutely

nothing in us that can save us as the Hy

writer said nothing in my hands I bring

but only to the Cross of Christ I cling

it is a recognition that you have only

one hope and 100% of that hope is found

in the person and work of Jesus Christ

that you know that you cannot save

yourself to the point that if someone

were to even suggest that you would

enter into Heaven by some works of

righteousness it would cause you to be

nauseous and you would cry out no no

Blas for me no I am saved for only one

reason 2,000 years ago the Son of God

bled and died for me so salvation comes

to us through repentance

and through faith in Jesus Christ now if

you truly believe in Christ you have

eternal life but how do you know you

have truly

believed even if you've had some sort of

conversion experience and you felt some

sort of peace of God and and so many

other emotions how do you really know

it's real or one of the ways that you

know it's real is that it will continue

it's not that necessarily the emotional

high will continue

but what will continue is you will

continue to grow in Grace you will

continue to deepen in your repentance

you will continue to deepen in your

faith little by little you will be

transformed more and more into the image

of Jesus Christ you say well brother

Paul does a real Christian sin yes sadly

enough yes can a real Christian fall

into sin

yes but here's the difference a real

Christian cannot live in a continuous

state of carnality a continuous state of

of

immaturity because the Bible says he who

began a good work in you will finish it

the Bible talks about in Hebrews 12 that

one of the greatest signs of true

conversion is that God will watch over

you with loving parental care and he

will even discipline you chastise you

when you turn off the path not because

his attitude toward you has changed but

because he loves you and he desires your

Holiness you see once you become a

Christian you become aart of God's

Providence and he who began a good work

will finish it the Gospel of Jesus

Christ is that God is just that man is

radically depraved and worthy of all

condemnation that in order to forgive

men God's justice had to be first

satisfied and that was done on the cross

where Christ stood in the law place of

his people bore their sin and was

crushed under the full weight of God's

Wrath against them on dying he paid the

price in full he is risen from the dead

and now all men everywhere may be saved

through faith through repentance and

faith in Jesus Christ and the evidence

of that repentance unto salvation and

that Faith unto salvation will be the

Contin continuing work of God leading to

Holiness thanks for watching if you love

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