Acts 2:37, 38, 41. The very Gospel which calls for repentance
produces it. How well this is illustrated in the experience of the
people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:5-10)! When they heard the preaching
of the word of God by Jonah they believed the message and turned
unto God. Not any message, but the Gospel is the instrument that
God uses to bring about this desired end. Furthermore, this message
must be preached in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:5-10).
Rom. 2:4--"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of
God leadeth thee to repentance?" Also 2 Pet. 3:9. Prosperity too
often leads away from God, but it is the divine intention that it
should lead to God. Revivals come mostly in times of panic.
Rev. 3:19; Heb. 12:6, 10, 11. The chastisements of God are sometimes
for the purpose of bringing His wandering children back to repentance.
2 Tim. 2:24, 25. God oftentimes uses the loving, Christian reproof
of a brother to be the means of bringing us back to God.