Repentance
Have you ever seen someone carrying a sign that says, "turn or burn" or with the words "repent or perish" written on their t-shirt? Even if these messages look comical, they capture an important truth. Repentance is the first step of a genuine relationship with Wod.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
Acts 3:19
The Concept of Repentance
The Old Testament's favorite term for repentance is turn. There are always two sides to turning; there is turning away from sin and turning to God. The Greek word metanoia is used in the New Testament for repentance (meta means "change" and nous means "the mind"). The concept behind repentance is change; a change of mind about sin, God, and the direction of our lives.
Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!
For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
Ezekiel 33:11
Repentance is also change in our perspective, leading to a change in values, attitude and behavior. There's no repentance where there is no change in behavior.
Repentance and Christian Living
Both John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministries with the message "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2, 4:17). The Christian message and the Christian life begin with repentance (Acts 11:18). Turning "to God from idols to serve the living and true God" is a sure sign of new life in Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Even after we are well on our way, repentance still plays a role in our Christian life because it helps us return to God whenever we've done wrong and to improve our behavior when we discover there's a better way to live.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar,
and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10
Godly people aren't sinless, but they always come back to God after they've sinned. We go through many changes as we're "transformed into His likeness" (2 Corinthians 3:18). Repentance helps to carry us forward in spiritual maturity.
More Than Being Sorry
The motive for repentance is frequent sorrow over our failure. But there's a "worldy sorrow" that brings death. Some people are sorry they did wrong, others are sorry they got caught. But repentance is being sorry enough to quit.
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the
sorrow of the world produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10
Change is normally difficult for humans, so it isn't surprising that repentance is sometimes preceded by pain. If we're comfortable with our current behavior, why improve? Pain and grief compel us to examine our lives, to face what is wrong, and to work at fixing the problem.
Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has
stricken, but He will bind us up.
Hosea 6:1
For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it
produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement
desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in
this matter.
2 Corinthians 7:11
How to Repent
Repentance begins with your confession of sin. Without admitting we've done something wrong or need God's help, we can't repent. God gives us powerful resources for change, but we have to confess our sin and weakness. Through confession we make our problem His problem.
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude
of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
Psalm 51:1
Secondly, we need to really receive forgiveness, think of Jesus personally telling you "your sins are forgiven, leave your life of sin." Pray, "Lord, I receive your forgiveness in the depths of my being."
Thirdly, we ask God to help us change, to turn closer to His ideal. Sometimes we need the prayers of others so we can be completely "healed".
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be
healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16
The begins some specific actions that demonstrate your intent to change (Matthew 3:8). Paul's message was that people "should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds" (Acts 26:20). This may mean you pour your booze down the sink, make restitution to someone, apologize to a friend, or join a support group for accountability.
If you struggle in the area of drug and/or alcohol abuse and want to repent, there is help available. Click here to visit Hope Recovery's website to learn more.
If you struggle in the area of pornography and want to repent, one of the best way's to rid this sin from your life is with accountability. Click here to learn more about our Accountability Group.