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Bible Repentance: Path to Love - Robert J. Wieland

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Our denominational his<strong>to</strong>ry is in fact one<br />

continual call <strong>to</strong> repentance. At any moment, a<br />

righteous choice <strong>to</strong> repent will transform our view<br />

of our his<strong>to</strong>ry in<strong>to</strong> an appropriate metanoia as the<br />

practical effect of the “final a<strong>to</strong>nement” or<br />

reconciliation with Christ. But sinful corporate or<br />

denominational pride will au<strong>to</strong>matically nullify<br />

such a union with Him. We can find union with our<br />

Lord only in repentance.<br />

“Just Like the Jews”<br />

Our denominational parallel with the his<strong>to</strong>ry of<br />

the ancient Jewish nation is striking. They were<br />

God’s true denominated people, enjoying as much<br />

evidence of His favor as have we. Their pride in<br />

their denominational structure and organization<br />

was shown by their attitude <strong>to</strong>wards the temple,<br />

which the Lord rebuked: “Trust ye not in lying<br />

words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple<br />

of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these”<br />

(Jeremiah 7:4). The “temple” <strong>to</strong> us is our modern<br />

worldwide organization. The Lord did indeed<br />

establish and bless the ancient temple, but the<br />

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