Repentance: God's gift and our responsibility

 

What repentance is

A change of mind

The Greek words translated as ‘repent’ in the New Testament normally mean to ‘change one’s mind’. Repentance means to turn one’s mind right. Like the prodigal son, all who repent come to their senses (Luk 15:17). Repentance always involves the recognition that one has been wrong.

A change of emotions

Sorrow is often associated with repentance. Jesus spoke of a repentant man who beat his breast, a sign of mourning, as he prayed a prayer of repentance (Luk 18:13). Fasting, sackcloth and ashes, the garb of mourning, were typical signs of repentance in the OT. Repentance involves sorrow followed by salvation (2 Cor 7:10). Yet mere sorrow for sin without a change of mind and will is not full repentance (Mat 27:3-5).

A change of will

Repentance is a decision. It is a choice to live in a new way. New behaviors come with repentance (Mat 3:8; Acts 26:20). The repentant tax collector who told Jesus that he would give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had ripped off four times what he took is a good example of what the change brought about by repentance can look like (Luk 19:8). The Scripture teaches that thieves, drunkards, liars, the verbally abusive, the greedy, adulterers, homosexuals and others who live in sinful ways will not be part of the kingdom of God. The good news is that the repentant were living in those ways but are not anymore (1 Cor 6:9-11).

The common Hebrew term for human repentance means ‘to turn’. This concept frequently appears in the New Testament as well. Repentance and conversion (turning) are often seen together (Luk 22:32; Acts 3:19; 9:35; 11:21; 14:15; 15:19; 26:18, 20; 28:27; 1 Thes 1:9; James 5:19-20; 1 Pet 2:25). The term ‘repentance’ is especially a turning from sin while ‘conversion’ most often refers to turning to God.

True and false repentance

Ideally, no Christian would ever sin after their initial act of repentance. However, this is seldom if ever the case. As far as I know, there is no total escape from temptation in this life. The decision to reject ungodly behaviors must be reaffirmed repeatedly. Some people suppose that they have truly grieved for and turned from their sins only to later realize that they were fooling themselves. Others have truly repented only to succumb to temptation at some later point. Regardless, the only right response is to confess and forsake sin – repent – whether for the first time or the twenty-first time. Know that God is generously merciful. He is more than merciful enough to forgive us seven times in the same day. Seven times in one day – that’s how often Jesus taught his followers to forgive an apologetic brother (Luk 17:4).

Who is responsible for repentance – us or God?

Humans

The Bible makes very clear that repentance is a human responsibility. The preaching of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles emphasized the human duty to repent (Mat 3:2,8; 4:17; 9:13; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22; 17:30; 26:20). Jesus criticized and threatened those who refused to repent (Mat 11:20; Luk 13:2-5; Rev 2:5, 16, 21-23). God has commanded every last person to repent (Acts 17:30).

God

The Bible also teaches that God plays an active role in human repentance. God wills that everyone repent (2 Pet 3:9). Both repentance and forgiveness are God’s gifts to us through Christ (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25). God’s generosity, threats, promises, and punishments are all designed to lead us to repentance (Rom 2:4-5; Amos 4:6-11; Hos 6:1-3; 2 Chr 15:4; Neh 1:9; Psa 78:34).

What happens when we repent?

God deals with repentant people and rebellious people differently. When we repent we change God’s relationship with us (2 Chr 7:14; Zec 1:3; Mal 3:7). Those who turn to God in repentance receive his mercy (1 Sam 7:3; Jer 18:8; 26:3, 13, 19; Eze 18:21-24; Jon 3:10 - 4:2). On the other hand, those who turn away from God suffer for it (1 Sam 15:11; Gen 6:6-7; Deut 30:1-10). Repentance makes all the difference in the plans God has for you. The time for repentance is now – before it’s too late.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.