A special letter

Wesley Wright

Lighthouse Bible Church

Sunday, May 10, 2026

 

Title: A special letter

2CO 7:8-10

 

Remember:

• Repent = change course
• Repentance is wedded to salvation
• It’s a privilege to repent, and to be repentant

 

Paul made readers sorry via a letter. We don’t have that letter, but context tells us what he addressed in it.

 

Paul regretted the letter initially, but seeing how it made folks changed their behavior, he no longer regretted it. Instead, he rejoiced in that circumstance.

 

Rebuking in this case worked out, and Paul knew the ramifications: PRO 27:5-6

 

What does it mean to repent? The Greek word metanoian (μετάνοια) means to fundamentally change course.

ACT 5:27-32; LUK 24:44-49

 

God commands that all men everywhere should repent: ACT 17:22-31

 

Paul made it clear that he preached repentance to Jew and Gentile alike:

ACT 20:17-24

 

Anyone who is a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has already repented — they have the correct view of their sin and the One who died for it. No longer are they cavalier about sin in their lives, or in others’ lives.

 

The ability to repent is a privilege that God grants to us. God granted repentance to the Gentiles: ACT 11:11-18

 

Being gentle in your approach can remind you that God can grant repentance to someone in opposition to the gospel:

2TI 2:24-26

 

Remember what Paul mentioned? His readers were sorrowful to the point of repentance. Anything short is worldly in nature.

 

The unrepentant have no compunction — no guilt, no real conviction — about their sin, and they live in rebellion to God. Pray for them.

 

Jesus Christ told a group that they must repent or else they would die in their sin:

LUK 13:1-5

 

Paul + Peter made the future of the unrepentant clear:

ROM 2:1-8, 2PE 3:3-10

 

In closing: Paul’s letter caused readers to change course regarding their lifestyle and their sin. That’s what repentance is, and it’s a privilege.

 

What should we do for those with unrepentant hearts? Pray earnestly that they believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness therein. Salvation and repentance are two sides of the same coin.

 

The Bible makes it clear that God Himself repented, but obviously not in the way that we do. How should we square that with who we know God is? We’ll discuss it next week, Lord willing.