Repentance has been taught by centuries now. It’s taught by street preachers, Sunday school teachers, grandparents and parents alike. It’s even taught in a secular manner within classrooms, on social media, and in many other ways. Though naturally, everyone teaches it in a different way.
The main premise of repentance is that you were wrong, and that you must apologize. You need to say that you’re sorry and that you made a mistake, and from there, you can receive forgiveness. Everyone differs when it comes to this point. The world teaches that forgiveness is not always promised. If you offend someone, or something, you can’t always be forgiven. The shame and the condemnation stick around, and you are left with exactly what you had coming in, a heavy burden.
On the other side, some in the church preach that if you say sorry, there’s nothing else to it, all that matters is that you confessed. There is no change necessary, just an apology. While some preach that you have to work and be sinless for forgiveness.
What you’ll find is that scripturally, there is no basis for any of these ideas, and that all lead to some feeling of guilt, pain, or heaviness.
I believe that there is a different meaning behind repentance that’s shown in scripture. One that doesn’t lead to feelings of shame and condemnation, but that of reverence and commitment to God.
Repentance Defined
I’ve found that the enemy works on much of what has already been established. All that he does is pervert the truth and cause us to misunderstand, misinterpret, and not believe what the word of God says. He hits us with doubts like “did God really say that?” and lies that say, “God doesn’t love you, you’ll never be forgiven”. The only way that the enemy can create something is by lying and perverting what has been established by God.
This is what he has done with repentance. There is much truth behind what the world defines as “repentance”. It requires a sort of apology, and it leads to forgiveness of some level. But it’s almost as if we take some freedom with interpreting the rest of the process, and we forsake what the Bible reveals to us. We won’t do that here.
Instead, we’re going to look at the three parts of repentance that are evidently clear in scripture. From there, my hope is that we will all answer our own call to repentance, and follow God, wholeheartedly.
Need for Repentance
Have you ever heard someone say, “the first step in fixing a problem is acknowledging that you have one”? I know that I have. It seems to be the most common quote when it comes to self-help and bettering oneself. That is because it’s one statement that is filled to the brim with truth.
Oftentimes, we don’t ever see ourselves correctly. We all tend to have a foggy picture of ourselves in our head. Some of us only see our flaws, while others only see their talents. The truth is that we need both to see ourselves how we truly are. Even then, once we’ve seen ourselves in the view of both our talents and flaws, we still don’t see ourselves perfectly. While that can be for a multitude of reasons, there is one thing that we should all be able to see with 20/20 vision. That is, our need for a savior.
Something I hear often from unbelievers is “why would I need a savior? I’m doing alright by myself.” We are all so blinded by our own vision, that we often don’t even see a need for a savior, much less a need for repentance.
Ephesians tells us that without a savior, we are “dead in the trespasses and sins” and have “no hope” (Ephesians 2). We need God. There is no way that we can do good on our own. The only way that we can truly experience life, is by recognizing, I am dead in my sin, and I can no longer live on my own.
Turn Away
As we have established, we are in need of a savior, and in desperate need of true repentance. We can’t do this on our own, so what’s the next step? What do we need to do to repent? Let’s look at Acts 3
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20).
We see in this verse, that we are not told to apologize, or to say we’re sorry. We aren’t told that we have to work for our repentance, and work for salvation. This scripture tells us to repent and turn back. There is said in 2 Chronicles something similar.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Here we see that repentance starts with humbling oneself and turning away for one’s wickedness to seek the Lord. This shows us that it isn’t about an apology, but actually something far better, and more impactful. Repentance requires us to not only acknowledge our brokenness and need for a savior, but it also requires that we turn away from sin and have a change of heart. It requires us to turn back from our sin and our selfish ways, and turn towards the Lord, to seek him.
This is the true repentance, that not only leads to eternal life, but also, to that feeling of heaviness being lifted, and shame, condemnation, guilt, to be washed away.
Commit Yourselves
Once we admit that we are sinners in need of a savior, and we make that decision deep in our hearts to turn away from our sins, and turn towards God, there is but one thing to do. That is to commit ourselves to him, and his kingdom.
Far too often, we see people backslide on God, and on their faith. It’s heartbreaking, not just for them, but for all who witness it. We make the decision to follow God, to turn away from our sins, but we fail to commit ourselves to him and thus miss all of the blessings that the Lord has in store for us. When we fail to commit to God, we end up committing to sin, and purge ourselves of intimacy with God.
There is a way to avoid all of that from happening, and if you feel like you’ve already backslidden on God, there is always a way back! Praise God!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
To commit yourself to the Lord sounds confusing, but to put it in simpler terms would mean to trust in him. Lean on his understanding, not your own. In all your ways, acknowledge him. We’ve already decided that we can’t do good and receive salvation on our own, so why would we live our lives on our own?
When we turn away from sin, and give ourselves to the Lord, it’s really easy to turn back to sin, and take our lives back. But when we trust in the Lord completely, lean on his understanding, and acknowledge him in everything, it’s really hard to go back to sin, and easy to walk in the life God has for us.
Call to Repentance
I hope that this lesson has truly shown you all that we are in desperate need of a savior, and that repentance is something that we all need.
If you feel that you need to repent, and accept Jesus as your savior, I want to encourage you to do so today. Romans 10:9 tells us that all we need to do to be saved, is confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart, and you will be saved. So, if you want to repent, it’s as easy as a simple pray. Repeat after me.
“I’m in a sinner, in need of a savior. I can’t do it on my own. I confess that you, Jesus, are Lord of my life, and that you died on the cross, to be risen on the third day, for my sins. Today, I turn away from my sin, and turn towards you, Lord. I ask that you would come into my heart. That you would change me. Today, I commit my life to you.”
If you made that commitment, and accepted Jesus into your heart, maybe for the first time, maybe not, I would like to remind you of some cool things.
The Holy Spirit now resides in you (1 John 3:24).
You are a brand-new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You’re more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).
And you have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
There’s so much more! But this all comes as a free gift, by the grace of God, through your small act of faith in repentance. How awesome is that!
Final Thoughts
Repentance is often seen as a shame inducing, fearful, painful thing. However, it’s the complete opposite. Although it highlights our need for a savior, and a sinful, hopeless nature, the result of it is beautiful. It doesn’t just lead us to eternal life, although it definitely does. It takes away all shame, all heavy burdens, and leaves us with something so wonderful. That is, the ability to commune with God!
Repentance isn’t just about saying you’re sorry and hoping that the Lord won’t smite you. It’s about making a decision deep in your heart to turn away from that which offends God and committing your life to him.
It’s such a beautiful thing. It is the first act of our faith, that results in the faithfulness of God finally being shown. Through this decision that we make, God is able to show his great goodness. Through this decision, an abundance of blessings is opened up for us, and we are finally able to commune with our Lord.
Repentance is an amazing thing, so repent, and commit yourselves to God today.
Have a great week!
