Watch the vid below by Steve McVey – Christian Religion Lie #49 “Repentance Brings God’s Goodness Into Our Lives“ and my comments follow…
This is another Old Covenant based lie.
You can usually spot these lies when they seem to follow an “if… then…” equation to them. Meaning:
“IF… you do this for God…. THEN … He will do this for you“
When you hear something like that then you KNOW it’s a lie!
God’s Love, Grace, and Goodness is UNCONDITONAL
What does this word “Unconditional” mean? It means God decides to be God and do the things God does (Love, Grace, Goodness) without regard to anything else. Without being influenced by anything else.
It means God will give these things just because of who He is… and… you can do nothing to 1.) get them or 2.) stop them from being done to you!
So the idea then that God gives goodness to us when we repent is not true — God gives goodness to us just because He chooses to… because it’s in His nature to bless His children.
So why would anyone repent?
Repentance is just recognizing when you’re sinning and turning away from it and back towards God.
BUT… if you don’t “get anything” when you repent… why repent… why would you ever turn away from sin and back towards God?
The answer is: even repentance is a gift from God… and… is our RESPONSE to his unconditional goodness in the first place!
God’s love will lead you to repentance
Paul says in Romans 2:4 (NIV, emphasis mine):
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
See once again, it is God initiating something we only have to respond to…
When we start to understand (or even “sort-of understand”) the depth of unconditional love and unconditional grace God has towards us it leads us to repentance.
When you realize how much God loves you… how much He is blessing you… and How much grace He is pouring out on you… EVEN while you’re still sinning… you can’t help but to love the guy!
Then you decide, “You know what Father… nothing I could do apart from you can match the incredible Love and Grace you are showing me… I’m done with all that stuff… it’s not who I am anyways!” and you turned back into your father’s loving arms.
That’s how repentance works. It’s not an “If… then…” equation or treating God like an ATM machine… it’s recognizing God’s goodness is already poured out on you and choosing that instead of your own self.
With Love 
Caleb
{ 0 comments… add one now }