Conversion Is More Than A Van

Mt 18:3

I truly believe the word "converted" is disappearing from the 21st century church.    The above verse is not saying we are to be childish but that we are to be childlike in our pursuit of power and dominance.  Children really care less about those things, but those are the things that drive adults!  Remember, Jesus said this right after he was asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  In conversion, the entire person is remade from the inside out, and that is bound to show up in our daily lives.  What do we treasure most in life?  Consider what Jesus said in Mt 12:35   You see, a new life is the product of conversion!  There are steps a person takes as this conversion, or new life, happens.  Consider the following...

Faith leads to a new life.  Christians live for a world that they have not seen.  They lay up treasures in a place they have never been.  They are not overly concerned with the things of this world.  This is all done is faith!   People of the world, however, are very much a part of the world.  These people are not merely in the world, as a Christian is, but they are truly a part of the world.  Jn 17:14-16  I preached a message a month or so ago and I asked the question, "Will someone from your life stand up and witness, that by the way you live, they know you are not a part of this world?"   Can someone do that for you?

Faith is a must.  Faith changes the way we live.  If you faith doesn't change the things you say and do you do not have a saving faith.  Does your daily walk in the world reflect that you are converted by your faith?  Heb 10:38; 2Co 5:7; Gal 2:20.  We must have and live by faith if we plan to please God.  Heb 11:6  Notice that faith is more than believable that He is.  We must also understand that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him!  Too many people think faith is believing that He is, fail to seek him, and are robbed of a reward!!!!

Faith is believing that He is.  Faith is believing that He rewards those who seek Him.  Faith is believing Jesus is God's son. Jn 8:24  We prove this faith is God's son by loving him with our obedience to his commandments.  Jn 14:15  Having a faith that changes our lives, or converts us, is proving we are "saved by grace through faith." not earning grace!  Eph 2:8   A person cannot live a Christian life without being converted by faith.  The Christian life is a life of faith.  

Peter failed to walk on water when his faith failed.  The disciples failed to cast out demons when their faith failed.  The same thing happens to us when our faith fails.  We sink and fail to imitate Christ!  A living, active, and saving faith is found in the obedience and practice of God's Word (Jn 17:17) and that is how faith leads to a new life.

Repentance leads to a new life.  Our actions prior to being converted nay not have appeared foolish (Titus 3:3) while in the world because we were seeking fleshy things. Rom 8:5.  Repentance of something is to quit doing it!  We must quit seeking fleshy things if we are to be converted.  When we repent of a life of sin we must change that life we lived.  We must change all of our behavior.  1Pe 1:14-16. When someone repents due to a strong faith in God's son they are thrusted into a new life.  That is how repentance leads to a new life.

Confession leads to a new life.  I do not want to spend to much time on this as I have posted on this in the past called, "I confess... I confess..."   God has a claim on every life on this planet.  Many do not recognize that claim and confession is a way of saying we recognize God's claim on our life.  We confess that our creator surely knows more about us than we do, I mean He is our creator!!   The confession is a solemn committal to the will of Christ before others!  That is how confession leads to a new life. 

Baptism leads to a new life.  Many people try to elevate baptism and others try to bury it.  The Bible has a lot to say about baptism and that is a fact.  Here are some more facts, until this point we still have the old self with us and the old sins on us!  We have a dirty conscience about our past life.  How is that going to change?  BAPTISM!  In baptism, we have a clear conscience toward God concerning our past life.  1Pe 3:21  In baptism, we have our old sins washed away.  Acts 22:16  In baptism, we lay the old self to rest and rise to a newness of life. Rom 6:1-4  In baptism, we have the blood of Christ applied to us and that sets us a part for the service of the living God.  Heb 9:14   In baptism, we are clothed with Christ.  Gal 3:27  nd not of it!  That is how baptism leads to a new life.  

Today, do you live a life that says you are converted from the old fleshy lusting person you used to be?  Do you walk in the newness of life?  Do those of the world around you know there is something different about you or do you look too much like the world for them to tell?  I always say if the people around you do not know you are a Christian, God probably don't either.  Potiphar knew God was with Joseph because of his demeanor, do others know God is with you because of yours?  Have you been converted to Christianity or are you just claiming Christianity?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22      

The Reality Check

1Pe 1:13

Leading up to this verse, Peter has been talking about the greatness and the glory that Christians can look forward to.  The problem is when someone get so lost in their dreams of the future glory they forget they are in a battle in the present.  Many are so focused on the Christian's coming glory they forget of the Christian's current struggles.  Eph 6:11,12  So to keep Christians focused on our current battles and still looking forward to the coming glory Peter gives a three point reality check to his readers.

The first reality check is to "prepare your minds for action."  This is a very vivid phrase.  It actually means something like "pull up your sleeves" or how a person will "take off their jacket" when it is time to work.  Peter is telling us that we must be ready to put in mental work.  We must be ready for a very strenuous mental endeavor.  A person who rolls up there sleeves of takes off their jacket to prepare for work does so because they want to work without any type of interference.   Do we prepare our minds like that for our faith?   This is a reality check, how often do you clear your mind just for spiritual things?  Too many of us never clear our minds and fix our eyes on Jesus.  We must "lay aside every encumbrance" to do this!  Heb 12:1-3  How many people can't prepare their minds and focus on the Lord's Supper for a weekly observance?  We must never be content with an unexamined faith.  Do you believe what you believe from your own personal study or because the preacher said so?  If you are of the latter, you are not preparing your mind for work!  You may be drifting away (Heb 2:1) because you are not heeding the Word, paying attention to the Word, or preparing your mind for work.  Reality check, are you preparing your mind for work?  Are you doing all you can to keep your mind free from interference?  Are you taking off the mental jacket?  Are you rolling up the mental sleeves?

The second reality check is to be sober in spirit.  The word sober means to refrain from drunkenness or to be free of the influence of intoxicants.   It metaphorically carries the association of watchfulness.  Peter is giving the reality check of being steadfast and knowing what we believe.  As mentioned earlier, how many people when asked, "Why do you believe this or that" can only reply, "I don't know.  It's what the preacher always says."    To be free of intoxicants is to not be carried away by a new enthusiasm and then be completely under the influence of the latest craze.  Paul tells Timothy the same thing.  2Ti 4:5   This being "sober" is to be in spiritually sound judgment.  It is having a spiritual self restraint that will not allow you to be entangled by the allurements of the world.  Reality check, are you making sound spiritual judgments from a mind that is prepared to work for Jesus Christ?  Many people are so focused on earthly things that all they can think about is getting to the weekend.  Why, Monday is just around the corner?  I am not ignorant to the fact that we have tough and difficult weeks, but there will be many more.  May we focus on Christ from a sober and prepared mind!

The third reality check is fixing your hope on grace.  This hope is in something we haven't seen, but we are eagerly waiting for.  Rom 8:24,25  Grace is often under valued and misunderstood.  Many think grace is ticket to sin and lack repentance.  Jesus said we all must repent in Lk 13:3.  People say, "That was told to the Jews.  There is no call of repentance today because we are covered by grace."  Well, the book of Acts tells us how the early church grew and how the Lord added people to the church.  You do not "join" the church.  In this book you can read where God has called all men to repentance. Acts 17:30,31    You can stand in the corner like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz saying, "I do believe, I do believe, I do, I do, I do, I do believe" and be immersed in every pool, pond, and waterway in the United States, but without repentance you will perish.  The greatest characteristic of Christianity is that we live in the hope of grace.  It is that hope that gets us through trials of this present time.  It is that hope that carries us through our toil and struggles.  It it because the Christian knows these struggles leads somewhere great and incomparable.  Rom 8:18  The glory that awaits is why athletes train so hard. For Christians, the best is yet to come.  I often say when the struggles feel like they are to much to bear, think about how great the glory will be later!  Reality check, are you living with the gratitude of mercies for all that was in the past, with the fortitude to meet the struggles of the present, and with the hope of grace that for those in Christ, the best is yet to come?   Is that how a friend would describe you?  Do you friends and coworkers even know you are a Christian?  I always say that if those around you do not you are a Christian, God probably don't either!

This is a reality check to make sure our minds are prepared for working for Christ, our judgments are wanting for Christ, and our hopefulbelieve.  He is coming for those who are obedient!  2Th 1:7,8

Today, is a reality check.  If Christ would return today would you be found obedient or disobedient.  You see God loves us so much He sent his son to be a final and perfect sacrifice for our sins.  That is done from His mercy.  He gives us His gift of grace that saves us through faith.  That faith is determined by our obedience to God's Word not by what we claim to believe!  Mt 7:20  In the winter time when you look at mountain it is hard to differentiate between the trees.  Yet, in the summer when you look at the same mountain, it easy to differentiate between the trees because you can see the fruit they are producing.    Reality check, are you producing Christian fruit because that is what differentiates Christians from other people.  Sanctification and holiness are the desire and duties of every Christian!

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22     

 

A Case For The Resurrection Pt 2

Evidence From The Empty Tomb

I feel the resurrection is the supreme sign of Christianity.  If Jesus was risen from the dead then he truly was the son of God and the Bible is the Word of God.  Many men died on this planet, but only one has risen from the grave to become a savior to those who submit to him.  Before we consider the empty tomb we will consider the above statement.

The resurrection proves that Jesus is the son of God.  The resurrection is an obvious sign of deity.  Mere men can not raise themselves from the dead.  Jesus himself said the resurrection is a divine sign. Jn 2:18-21  Paul referred to the resurrection as a sign of Jesus' divine power.  Rom 1:4  If Jesus was raised from the dead he is absolutely trustworthy and all his claims are to be held in the same manner.

The resurrection proves the Bible as the Word of God.  Jesus told the apostles would be taught and guided by the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26) This makes their writings the very words of God.  2Ti 3:16  Understanding that the resurrection proves the Bible to be the Word of God and Jesus to be deity will allow us to consider the empty tomb.  We will try to figure out what happened to the body of Jesus.  If someone can prove that Jesus never resurrected from the dead, he can be called a liar and the Bible will not be the infallible Word of God.  However, if someone can not disprove the resurrection, Jesus must be considered Lord and the Bible as infallible.  So what happened to the body of Jesus that was put into the tomb?

Since we know the body of Jesus was not in the tomb when people had arrived there, and we are attempting to reason with a person who is suspect of the resurrection, we will consider it to be stolen.  So, who stole the body?  If we cannot produce an acceptable culprit it must be believed that Jesus has resurrected from the dead.  

Did the Jews take the body?  Remember, they are the people who wanted to crucify Jesus.  Why would they want anyone to think Jesus had resurrected?  The fear Jesus would resurrect was the entire reason the tomb was guarded and sealed.  Mt 27:62-66  Also, if the Jews had stolen the body, don't you think they would have silenced Peter in his sermon on Pentecost by producing the body?  Therefore, it is reasonable to think the Jews did not take the body.  They were, however, afraid Jesus disciples would take it.

Did the disciples take the body?  The first question that arises is, how did they get past the guards?  Remember, they were hiding from the Jews at this point. Jn 20:19  I ask another question, if the disciples did take the body would they die proclaiming a lie?  Maybe one or even two might have that kind of characteristic, but all of them?  Well, it must be added here that John is the only one to die not as a martyr.  Would ten men be tortured and killed for a lie?  If Jesus had not resurrected and the disciples had stolen the body it is reasonable to think one of the ten men would have spilled the beans under such extreme persecution of a lie!  Therefore, it reasonable to believe they did not steal the body.

Did the Roman Government steal the body?  It would seem that if they did steal the body they would have produced the dead body of Jesus to stop the friction between the Jews and the Christians.  The reason they didn't do that is because they didn't have the body.  If the Roman government had stolen the body there would have been a complete different response by Felix (Acts 24) and Agrippa (Acts 26).  If the Roman government had stolen the body Agrippa would never had asked Paul if he was trying to persuade him to be a Christian.  Acts 26:28   He would have told Paul he was a fool because the Roman government had taken the body from the tomb.  That being said, it is reasonable to say the Roman government did not steal the body of Jesus.

Did the Roman guards steal the body?  If they did the above scenario with Felix and Agrippa would come into play.  If they did steal the body how would they explain it to their superiors who told them to watch the tomb in order to prevent someone from stealing the body?  History says that if a prisoner escaped while under the guard of a Roman soldier that soldier was sentenced to death.  That is why the jailer was going to kill himself in Acts 16:27   Can you bribe a man when his life is on the line?  I don't think so!  What guard really admits they fell asleep?  What motive would the Roman guards have to steal the body?  It would be against their orders and then sentenced to death.  It is reasonable to think that the Roman guards did not steal the body.

Did a group of separate individuals steal the body?  Again, what motive would a separate group of people have to steal the body? How would they get past the guards at the tomb entrance?  It wold be reasonable to believe that if this group of people did such a thing they would have eventually produced the body to silence the many people who claimed to witness the resurrected Jesus. 1Co 15:5-8  Therefore, it is reasonable to think a group of separate people did not steal the body.

Maybe, no one stole the body and Jesus didn't really die on the cross.  Considering the condition he would have been in after the beating he took, carrying the cross,  then having his hands and feet pierced, and then hanging several hours on a cross by those pierced hands and feet.  Would that man be strong enough to open a sealed tomb, fight off the guards, and walk away?  NO WAY!  Keep in mind, the disciples must not know about Jesus' escape because they died believing Jesus had resurrected.  The Roman government could not have known about it, or either Felix or Agrippa would have told Paul about it.  Therefore, it is reasonable to think that Jesus did die on the cross and he did not escape from the tomb. 

The only logical reason to think why Jesus' body was not in that tomb is because he had risen!  So what does this do for us?  Well, the resurrection conditionally gives us hope of eternal life.  1Co 15:1-4  It allows us to live without fear.  The bible says, "as I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil."  The wages of sin are death and the resurrection removes that fear of death!  Jesus came to put to end the works of the devil (1Jn 3:8) and the resurrection tells us he did that very thing.  The resurrection brings about change.  It changed Peter fearful and following at a distance to a courageous preacher.  It changed Saul the persecutor to Paul the preacher.  It changed the Jewish remnant into the Church.  It changed the Sabbath into the Lord's Day.  Finally, it changed Thomas from an unbeliever to a believer.  It can change people today just like it did in the past.

Today, share the life changing story of our risen savior, Jesus Christ.  He is not in the tomb.  He is preparing a place for those who are prepared to go with him.  I have adopted this saying, "Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."  I tell you it is a fact that Jesus' body was not stolen from that tomb, rather he has risen from the dead.  Now I ask you, are you prepared to go with him to the prepared place?  

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22        

Calamity Happens

Lk 13:1-5

It is just not right to think that when trouble comes on people that they are more wicked than another person.  This world is not where we receive retribution.  As a matter of fact, the wicked tend to be prosperous here.  The punishment of the wicked and the blessing of the righteous are reserved for another world.  What appears unequal here will be made equal there.  It is often said at time of calamities, "Why would God let that happen?"  We often blame God for tragedies and calamities but forget to give credit to Him for times of blessings.  We often associate calamities, diseases, and terrible things to unrighteousness.  I have heard it said, "Hey, he didn't change his ways.  He had it coming."  Don't confuse consequences of sin with punishment of sin.  We suffer many hard consequences of our sin, but the punishment of that sin will be much more severe.  Consequences of sin can remain a lifetime, but punishment of sin will remain for eternity.  

Notice in verse three Jesus doesn't say that they were NOT sinners, but that they were not WORSE sinners.  I see this as Jesus removing a sense of false security from those hearing him.  That false security is running wild today.  He doesn't want them to feel righteous because that calamity didn't fall on them.  The great truth that is uttered here is that God rejects the thought that some are more righteous because of the severity of sin!  Jesus doesn't say, "You BAD sinners repent."  God is not a respecter of mankind.  Rom 2:11   Today, we try to put levels on our sins.  How many times do we condone fornication as long as that fornication is not with a person of the same sex!  Do we think God is happier with the person that has relations with five different people of the opposite sex, as opposed to the person that has relations with one of the same sex?  Do we think God is happier with a liar than a murderer?  Sin is sin and we all must repent of it!  Acts 17:30  

If there is no repentance in a person their fate is to perish. Many say that there is no need of repentance because we are covered by God's grace. Eph 2:8-10  I agree that grace is what saves us and we can not earn that grace.  However, we are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works."  When we are created in Jesus, born again and walking in the newness of life after our immersion where we have crucified and buried the old self (Rom 6:1-4), we are to have works that proves our salvation and that we are a new creature. 2Co 5:17  We are no doubt covered by grace, but we can fall from that grace.  See a previous blog. 

Consider Heb 10:26,27, this is no doubt referring to apostasy.  I see this as a stern warning that the rejection of Christ will result in the only opportunity for salvation from the wages of that sin. Rom 6:23   The Jews rejected Christ and many suffered the same fate as the Galileans in verse one.  They died at the the hands of the Romans as mentioned in Mt 24.  Many are falling away today because they are losing that "terrifying expectation of judgment."   There is a serious lack of a Holy fear of God today.  People are having their ears tickled by the teachers that they are gathering to themselves.  2Ti 4:3

The apostles went around preaching Christ crucified.  1Co 1:23  People see the cross as foolishness because they don't realize the lost state they are in without it!  In Acts 2:14-36, Peter preaches a sermon that explains that God's loving plan has been unfolded through Jesus Christ who was crucified.  It was their sins that put Jesus on that cross.  In verse 36 he said, "whom you crucified."  Is that what everyone wanted to hear?  NO, but it was they needed to hear.  What was the result of a sermon that convicted people by using the Word of God?  Acts 2:37 says they asked what they should do.  They were told to REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED! Acts 2:38

If the life you are leading today does not look like the life Jesus laid out in the Bible, do you change your life or the Bible?   If the church you attend can't be found in the Bible, do you change churches or Bibles?  We must be reminded that through God's love he sent Jesus to be our perfect sacrifice.  He went into the Holy of Holies and that sacrifice was accepted.  We must be reminded that is our sins that put Jesus on that cross.  We must repent from godly sorrow from that message.  2Co 7:10-12  We must repent and separate ourselves of all sin.  We must stop putting levels on sin.  

Today, have you talked to God and confessed your sins to Him?  If we do, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us of our sins. 1Jn 1:9   Unless we repent we will perish.  Today, produce fruit that says you are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus.  Have a healthy and Holy fear of the Lord my friends.  Mt 10:28  I hope this was not communicated in a harsh or angry way because that was not my intention.  It was said in a true concern for souls out of love!

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:   Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22        

We are a covenant people

 Gangs are often noticed by colors and signs for easy identification.  When I was in Virginia I went into a particular city and noticed the city had graffiti that I had never really seen before and asked a friend who was a State Trooper about them.  He told me what gang he felt did the graffiti and then he told me somethings about the gangs in that area.   We spoke of initiations getting so violent. He said once in the gang, it must be number one in your life.  Christians don’t join a church (gang) we are the Church!  We enter what is called a covenant- agreement between participants, in its most basic definition.      God’s people are under the New Covenant because they have entered into a covenant relationship with God, in that we will be obedient to the terms of that covenant in order to receive the salvation offered to us by his grace and mercy! KJV several times translates the word covenant as “league.”

There are at least two types of covenants in scripture.  First, you have the covenant between men. Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant over a well (Gen 21:22-34)  Laban and Jacob made a covenant concerning Laban’s daughters and harming each other (Gen 31:43-55)  David and Jonathan made a covenant to be loyal friends (1Sa 18:3; 23:18)  This type of covenant is initiated by man.  God is not a partner in these covenants.  This is similar to the hand shake of today!  Well, at least what a hand shake used to resemble.  Today, a law biding contract may be more applicable. 

The second type of covenant is a covenant between God and man.  This covenant is drastically different from the previous in that man will never initiate a covenant with God.  Nor will man determine the conditions of the relationship!  There are two classes of this type of covenant. UNCONDITIONAL AND CONDITIONAL  

1.  Unconditional- Unconditional, in that, God initiates the covenant and is the one who will fulfills it. These covenants are not dependent on man and thus cannot be broken.  God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham that his seed would bless the world (Gen 12:3) 

2.  Conditional- God initiates the covenant & the terms to be obeyed in order for men to receive the promised blessings.   God established his conditional covenant with Israel  (Gen 20-23)  AKA “The Old Covenant”  

So what is the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?  The Old Covenant is often referred to as the Law.  They are basically the same thing.  When God puts a Law or a Covenant in place only he can remove it!  Heb 8:13  Where in the Bible does speak of a “new covenant?”  Jer 31:31-34

This tells us that the Old Covenant was going to pass and God was going to make a new covenant.  That Old Covenant must be annulled.  It is important to understand that the Old Covenant had to be annulled in order to usher in the New Covenant because the Old Covenant did not remove sin!  Heb 10:4  The removal of sin only comes through the blood of Jesus!  Mt 26:28  If believing in God and being a good person was enough to remove sin there would never had been a need for Christ to make such a sacrifice.  We cannot “draw near” to God without the blood of Christ!  Heb 7:25  In order for the New Covenant to be in place, the Old Covenant must be annulled.

The Old Covenant was nailed to the cross. Col 2:13,14   The ink used in ancient times had no acid in it.  Rather than take a bite out of the material it is placed, or written, on the ink dried on top and was easily erased wiped off with a sponge or cloth. If you have ever had a bad injury and got a significant amount of blood on your clothes you know blood doesn't erase, wipe off, or get removed easily!  The New Covenant we have will not be erased because it is written with the blood of Jesus!

As Christians, we are a covenant people, nothing like the gangs we spoke of earlier.  Although, we are to put God as number one in or lives.  The question I have for you today is: “Are you in that covenant relationship with God, signed with the blood of Jesus, and sealed with The Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance?”  Eph 1:13,14  Have you, as of today, obeyed the terms God installed in the New Covenant?    

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

We must hear the Word of God:  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We must believe or have faith:   Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We must repent of our sins:  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We must confess Christ before others:  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38

We must be faithful:  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22

What is repentance?

2Co 7:8-10

I love the illustration of two people playing catch at a picnic.  They are throwing a ball back and forth.  Suddenly, some one calls to one of the two people playing catch.  This distracts the one person just as the other releases the ball.  As you might have guessed it, the distracted person gets hit right in he face with the ball!  The person who threw it is trying to be sympathetic by asking, while chuckling, "Are you OK?"  They immediately follow that question with an audible laughter and say, "I'm so sorry!"  Can a person who is laughing at you really be sorry?  We use the word sorry very loosely today.  Is sorrow repentance?  What is repentance?  What does the above text say about that?

In verse eight we see that Paul's letter caused those who read it sorrow.  He adds, "though only for a while" and that tells us sorrow is temporary.  The word sorrow is the Greek word lupeo and it means to grieve.  If sorrow is temporary it can not be repentance.  Sorrow may hurt bad, but it is not repentance.  Consider Lk 22:39-46.  We read in verse 40 that Jesus tells them to pray.  Easy enough right?  Well, when we read verse 45 we see that Jesus was sweating blood in his prayer, but the others where "sleeping from sorrow."  The sorrow was real and painful.  Remember, they knew Judas left to betray Jesus.  They were very sorrowful.  Time healed that sorrow and it went away.  Sorrow is real.  It hurts and it is temporary, but it is not repentance.  I believe it is a part of repentance because we can be "made sorrowful to the point of repentance", but sorrow alone is not repentance.

In the same verse we see the word regret.  This Greek word means to care to one afterwards.  This, as I see it, is a natural progression from sorrow.  We have grief, or sorrow, because of hitting that person on the face with a ball.  So that grief turns to regret and we tend to that person to ensure that they are OK.  We regret a lot of things in life, but that doesn't mean we repent of them.  Regret is temporary.  An adulterer may regret their actions and treat their spouse special as a result of that regret.  I'm sure they have the grief of being sorrowful, but often times that sorrow and regret fades and they are right back to adultery.  I believe regret is a part of repentance, but regret alone is not repentance.

In verse 9 we see the word repentance.  That Greek word means to change ones mind and deeds.  That my friends is repentance.  We must make a 180 degree change of deeds and thoughts when we repent.  The most important part of our change must be "according to the will of God."  Many people change themselves because of what they do to another person or themselves and that is not repentance.  That adulterer may change and never commit adultery again because they hurt  their spouse or damaged their reputation, and that is not repentance.  That adulterer must change their mind and deeds because what  they did was not according to God's Will.  We first sin against God.  We must change because the things we do are a stench in the Lord's nostrils!   Many drug addicts change because they are worried about how people look at them.  We must turn from sin because of God's view of sin not mans.  That is repentance.  Lk 13:3 doesn't say unless you be sorry you will perish.  It doesn't say unless you regret you will perish.  It says you must repent.  You must change your thoughts and deeds because they are not according to God's Will or you will perish.  

Changing what we do because we are sorrowful and regretful that we hurt others or ourselves is not repentance it is reformation.  Many drug addicts and alcoholics are reformed but that doesn't mean they repented.  We must understand that we have sinned against a Holy God and repent to Him by changing our thoughts and deeds.  WE MUST REPENT AND NOT JUST REFORM.

Consider the prodigal son of Lk 15:11-31.  He gets his inheritance and squanders it in the world with wild living.  He soon realizes life is better under his father's care.  Funny how eating pigs food can that to ya, huh?  When he goes back to his father what does he say?  Does he say, "Daddy, I'm sorry.  I regret leaving this house."  NO!!  In verse 21 he says, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight..."  He understood he sinned against God first.  That is repentance my friends.  

Today, we must realize that when we sin we are sinning against a Holy God, and that must change our thoughts and deeds.  When we say it like the psalmist that says "Against you, you only, I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight..." Ps 51:4  Our Father in heaven will welcome us back into the fold, bless us with the best He has, and the angels will rejoice just like the prodigal son was welcomed home, given the best his father had to offer, and the workers began to celebrate.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-    Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22