Symbolic Repentance vs True Repentance - What's the Difference?

The Blogger’s Preface

If anything in this post impacts or cuts you straight to your heart, do not delay, but pray immediately.  Confess your sin and be forgiven, have your mind renewed and transformed.  Be set free from the bondage.  I know what I’m talking about, as I have had to go through this process along with others who are truly seeking YHVH, and willing to trust Him to the point of not just studying His Word, but to apply it to our lives.  It’s a lifetime endeavor – the pursuit of holiness.  I have absolutely no regrets and found that the One (YHVH) who has promised us, is more than able, faithful and just to keep His Word.  His Word is manifested in His Son, Yeshua.

I have learned that YHVH is quick to forgive, but it is us who is slow to confess our sin.  May the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) be welcome in your lives to infiltrate and take over everything that is not like Yeshua or Messiah.

In the mighty, powerful and awesome name of Yeshua, the King of kings, Lord of Lords!

py thomas, one of many maidservants of YHVH
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Symbolic Repentance of Sin, or True Repentance thru Yeshua?
by py thomas
© September 10, 2013

Many who are in covenant relationship with YHVH have only symbolically repented of sin. I say this because I often hear them say things like, “nobody’s perfect,” yet we are called to be perfected by our submission to obedience; or “it doesn’t take all of that and besides Jesus did it all.” Yes, Yeshua (Jesus) did show us the path to righteousness, and He’s supposed to be our leader, yet we don’t want to follow His examples. It’s not a matter that we haven’t been equipped to resist sin, it’s a matter of we don’t want to resist sin and put our carnal flesh to death.

Many of YHVH’s people knowingly will receive stolen goods, for instance like get “free” cable because they have a “special hook-up”or purchase bootlegged music, movies and software. Excuse me, isn’t that stealing? Taking something from someone else without their permission and not paying for it to boot!

Those who enjoy pornography rationalize this sin by saying things like, “it’s not like I’m doing those things, I’m just watching; or my spouse and I watch it to improve our intimacy.” If we watch the porn, we are equally as guilty as those who perform and produce it. Read Romans 1:18-32for yourselves. YHVH is very clear in that the manifestation of sexual immorality is when He gives one over to the lustful and vile thoughts they have. None is without excuse:

²⁰For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:20-21)

²⁴Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

²⁶For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:24-26)

 

Our Fingers Point At Us As We Point At Others. I know this is a tough message to hear. The Word of YHVH is indeed sharper than a two-edge sword that pierces us through straight to our hearts – our “desperately wicked hearts” in need of circumcision, transplants and blood transfusions from Yeshua. Without Yeshua, we are ALL doomed, including me.

The sobering reminder that is like a reality check cannonball to me (and a needed one I might add) is the humbling reminder in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you...”

⁸ Instead, you yourselves wrong and cheat; and you do it to your own brothers! ⁹ Don’t you know that unrighteous people will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t delude yourselves — people who engage in sex before marriage, who worship idols, who engage in sex after marriage with someone other than their spouse, who engage in active or passive homosexuality, ¹⁰ who steal, who are greedy, who get drunk, who assail people with contemptuous language, who rob —none of them will share in the Kingdom of God. ¹¹ Some of you used to do these things. But you have cleansed yourselves, you have been set apart for God, you have come to be counted righteous through the power of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah and the Spirit of our God.

¹² You say,“For me, everything is permitted”? Maybe, but not everything is helpful. “For me, everything is permitted”? Maybe, but as far as I am concerned, I am not going to let anything gain control over me.

YHVH’s Word has a check and balance system so that we don’t fall into the trap of thinking more of ourselves than we should. We need the constant reminders. I’ve found in my own personal walk of faith the closer I draw to YHVH, the more I need to be checked. Our sinful flesh is always at war with us. We easily forget that we have been just as guilty of those same actions. From the beginning, YHVH kept His appointed in check, even to the point of letting those who insisted in going in the way of rebelling of falling to be an example and warning to us and others.

¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:1-3)

 

Symbolic Repentance – A Form of Godliness Without Any Power. There is nowhere in Scripture that “symbolic repentance” will provide us with the needed forgiveness and restoration from sin we have in and through Yeshua’s shed blood, death and resurrection.

Without forgiveness of sin, a person is separated from YHVH. Are you a symbolic Messianic Believer/Christian–“ …having a form of godliness, yet denying its power And from such people turn away!”(2 Timothy 3:5); or are you one who’s heart has truly become circumcised?

“Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.” (Deut. 10:16)

“⁶Then Adonai your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your children, so that you will love Adonai your God with all your heart and all your being, and thus you will live.” (Deut. 30:6)

Just as there is only right and wrong in YHVH’s economy, there are only two types of people. A person is either an unbeliever (unrepentant sinner); or one who has made the confession of faith in Yeshua and entered into the covenant of salvation. There is no in between.

Likewise, we either believe Yeshua’s death and resurrection is the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin, or it’s not. For many of people of Hebrew descent who are not in the covenant of salvation through Yeshua, subscribe to “tashlikh,”which is a symbolic act of repenting from sin. This tradition is just as foolish as Christians trying prop up and justify the observances of pagan holidays by weaving some scripture into it. We are not to mix that which is holy with that which is profane. Any more so than living like the devil, and coming to offer song or a preached word without repentance of sin. Symbolic repentance has no scriptural basis, even though this ritualistic practice includes the reading of the prophet Micah. This is a prime example of men trying to define how they are going to be reconciled back to YHVH instead of simply obeying what He stated.

Here’s some background on how “tashlikh” came about:

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, before sunset, Jews traditionally proceed to a body of running water, preferably one containing fish, and symbolically cast off (tashlikh) their sins. The ceremony includes reading the source passage for the practice, the last verses from the prophet Micah (7:19), "He will take us back in love; He will cover up our iniquities. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

Selections from Psalms, particularly 118 and 130, along with supplications and a kabbalistic prayer hoping God will treat Israel with mercy, are parts of tashlikh in various communities. The custom developed around the 13th century and became widespread despite objections from rabbis who feared superstitious people would believe that tashlikh, rather than the concerted effort of teshuvah, had the power to change their lives. Religious leaders were particularly opposed to the practice of tossing bread crumbs, representing sins, the water, and even shaking one's garments to loosen any evil clinging to them was discouraged.

Superstitious rites most likely did influence ceremony. Primitive people believed that the best way to win favor from evil spirits living in waterways was to give them gifts. Some peoples, including the Babylonian Jews, sent "sin‑filled" containers out into the water.

Albeit YHVH is merciful to Isra’el and those unrepentant, His mercy is purely extended that they would come to full faith and accept Yeshua as the promised Messiah. So we see just as in the Jewish culture, and like many of the modern day Christians, they have integrated paganism in their worship of YHVH and sadly have a blindness in their spirit that would lead them to expect YHVH to embrace this profaned worship. If YHVH is holy, then why would He accept that which is unholy and its origins are of the devil? If we couldn’t enter into His presence because of sin, why do we think after we’ve entered the covenant of salvation that we can approach YHVH in any manner? Really?

It’s either of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) the truth, or it’s of the anti-Messiah (anti-Christ) the liar. Life or death. This is why Yeshua dealt so strongly with the Pharisees and their traditions – their ungodly traditions, rules and regulations that they didn’t even obey, nor follow.

Once in the covenant of salvation and sealed with the promise of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), we are now equipped to say “no” to sin. Sin no longer can rule us, unless we choose to surrender to sin. True repentance versus symbolic repentance has a lasting and life-changing impact on our lives. When a person not only enters into the covenant of salvation, but submits to the lordship and authority of YHVH, they will follow the example of Yeshua.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)

 

Symbolic Repentance – The Unfruitful Harvest of the Traditions of Men. It is the traditions of men that yield the unfruitful harvest of symbolic repentance. It absolutely carries no weight, validity; or can reconcile fallen (sinful) man back to their Creator, ELOHIM. As a matter of fact, Yeshua addresses the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had the audacity to try and cite “their” traditions as a futile attempt to bring false accusations against Yeshua’s disciples in Mark 7:1-13 and Isaiah 29:13.

¹³ Then Adonaisaid:

“Because these people approach Me with empty words,
and the honor they bestow on Me is mere lip-service;
while in fact they have distanced their hearts from Me,
and their ‘fear of Me’ is just a mitzvah [command] of human origin — (Isaiah 29:13)

 

The P’rushim[Pharisees] and some of the Torah-teachers[scribes] who had come from Yerushalayim [Jerusalem] gathered together with Yeshua ² and saw that some of His talmidim [disciples] ate with ritually unclean hands, that is, without doing n’tilat-yadayim. ³ (For the P’rushim, and indeed all the Judeans [Jews], holding fast to the Tradition of the Elders, do not eat unless they have given their hands a ceremonial washing. ⁴ Also, when they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they have rinsed their hands up to the wrist; and they adhere to many other traditions, such as washing cups, pots and bronze vessels.)

⁵ The P’rushimand the Torah-teachers asked him, “Why don’t your talmidim live in accordance with the Tradition of the Elders, but instead eat with ritually unclean hands?” ⁶ Yeshua answered them, “Yesha‘yahu [Isaiah} was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites — as it is written,

‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far away from me.
⁷ Their worship of me is useless,
because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.’

⁸“You depart from God’s command and hold onto human tradition. ⁹ Indeed,” He said to them, “you have made a fine art of departing from God’s command in order to keep your tradition! ¹⁰For Moshe [Moses] said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ ¹¹ But you say, ‘If someone says to his father or mother, “I have promised as a korban” ’ ” (that is, as a gift to God) “ ‘ “what I might have used to help you,” ’ ¹² then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. ¹³ Thus, with your tradition which you had handed down to you, you nullify the Word of God! And you do other things like this.” (Mark 7:1-13)

 

More Dangers of the Traditions of Men – The Great Apostasy. Traditions of men are the doorway to the Apostasy –the falling away from Torah (the Law). This battle has been ongoing since the Law was first given. Satan knows that if we don’t keep the Law and Commandments of YHVH is that it will show that our love of YHVH and Yeshua is not true. YHVH requires obedience, not sacrifice, nor our humanistic sympathies about sin. If you doubt me, read it for yourself in John 14:21-28. The admonishment is coming directly from the author and finisher of our faith, Yeshua the Son of YHVH. He’s the authority – not me, not you, but Him.

But in connection with the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah and our gathering together to meet him, we ask you, brothers, ² not to be easily shaken in your thinking or anxious because of a spirit or a spoken message or a letter supposedly from us claiming that the Day of the Lord has already come. ³Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way.

For the Day will not come until after the Apostasy has come and the man who separates himself from Torahhas been revealed, the one destined for doom.
(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

 

Isra’el was warned first, as they like the Messianic community (the Church) have rejected the Law (Torah) and have gone in their own way of the traditions of men, loaded down with everything but the full truth and full counsel of YHVH's Word.

“Put the shofar to your lips!
Like a vulture [he swoops down] on the house of Adonai,
because they have violated my covenant
and sinned intentionally against my Torah.
² Will they cry out to me,
‘We are Isra’el, God, we know you’?
³ Isra’el has thrown away what is good;
the enemy will pursue him. (Hosea 8:1-3)

 

Wisdom is truth, and the truth is YHVH Word. It calls out to us in YHVH’s long-suffering patience with us and warns us how our refusal to submit to the Law and commandments of YHVH (not men) will lead many on the path of salvation down the broad path that leads to destruction. Yeshua is talking about those who have entered the covenant of salvation. The following scripture is a firm admonishment from Yeshua that the gate to salvation is indeed narrow (and you’ll most likely be considered “narrow-minded” by many (even within the “Beloved;” however, take that as a compliment and not an offense).

¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:13-15)

 

Contrary to the doctrines and traditions of men, the covenant of salvation is going to cost each of us something as well – it’s going to cost us our obedience, willingness to die to self daily, be persecuted for His namesake; and be hated by the world as the world hated Yeshua. This great love that was demonstrated to us by YHVH through Yeshua, which allows us to be forgiven of sin and no longer separated from YHVH because of sin, should motivate us to serve Him, His way.

Sin carries dire consequences – eternal death. For me personally, nothing in this life is worth that.

³ For the time is coming when people will not have patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their ears itch to hear. ⁴ Yes, they will stop listening to the truth, but will turn aside to follow myths.

⁵ But you, remain steady in every situation, endure suffering, do the work that a proclaimer of the Good News should, and do everything your service to God requires. (2 Timothy 4:3-5)

So grievous is this same faulty rationale mindset that many sons and daughters of the covenant of salvation let their emotions become their god, resulting in subverting profaning that which is holy, with their carnal and ungodly thinking – leaning to their own understanding instead of acknowledging YHVH in ALL of their ways (all of our ways includes our thinking, choices we make; and ALL that concerns us).

 

⁵ Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him;
then he will level your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Selah.