Of all the things that Jesus preached on, perhaps no more is as profound as the message we read in (Matthew 4:17): “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Telling people to repent in today’s American society is not very popular but it is the kindest expression of love you can show for a person because without repentance an individual is eternally doomed.
Just what is repentance? To repent means to turn away from sin. To repent means to feel remorse and contrition over sinful behavior. One definition that captures what repentance is as follows: “To regret or sorrow for what one has done or left undone – to change from past evil; to feel such sorrow for sin as produces newness of life.”1 Also repentance implies a change of heart and mind in regards to sin and Jesus.
The central message of the Old Testament prophets was one of repentance. Men such as Elijah, Jeremiah, Amos, Isaiah, and Jonah were specifically sent by God to deliver the life changing message of repentance. In the New Testament the message after the cross, preached by Jesus’ disciples, was one of repentance. And as I shared at the beginning of today’s devotion our Lord’s central message was for all people everywhere to repent. And 2,000 years later, in the year 2021, the message hasn’t changed one bit – repentance is paramount for salvation.
I believe that faith in Christ leads to confession of sin and repentance. Without repentance how can forgiveness of sin take place? Repentance and faith in the words of Charles Spurgeon are inseparable companions: “Repentance grows as faith grows. Do not make any mistake about it; repentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No; it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself. God’s little children repent, and so do the young men and the fathers. Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.”2
Another way to understand repentance is summed up nicely by Jarrid Wilson: “You and I must stop viewing repentance as a burdensome I have to, and instead realize it’s an undeserved I get to.We must understand how lucky we are to have a loving God who gives us the opportunity to admit our failures and choose to turn away from our selfish ways. Repentance is a gift not a burden. There is an unfathomable liturgical experience when one finds the humility to turn from their ways and seek forgiveness in the grace of God.”3
Repentance is an essential experience in our Christian faith and walk. Just listen to the following verses: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). “When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’” (Acts 11:18). “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10).
Some have said that repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. It is not possible to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior without a change of heart and mind in relation to your sins and to who Jesus Christ is. True repentance is a change of heart and mind from rejection of Jesus to faith in Him.
One final thought about repentance is that it is something God gives through His grace. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a sinner and draw him to Himself. It is all a work of God. So, the next time you think about repentance thank God that He opened your eyes to turn from sin to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
1 What does repent mean? (definitions.net)
2 Christianity Without Repentance Isn’t Christianity (churchleaders.com)
3 Christianity Without Repentance Isn’t Christianity (churchleaders.com)
Whenever we define Biblical terms, like justification, sanctification, or repentance, it is always helpful to consult the word in the language it was first spoken in. This often provides a boundary that keeps us from misunderstanding, misuse or misapplication.
The Greek word for repentance is metanoeo, which is a compound word meaning meta-after and noeo-mind or thinking. Together we have a command to think after but think after what?
The answer was best expressed by the scientist Johann Kepler when he said that all he wanted out of science was to “think God’s thoughts after Him.”
Imagine, a life lived every day where we look at this world, our fellow man, ourselves, and everything we think by using this standard. Of course, it starts with the repentance that leads to salvation but that’s just the beginning. Now that your “thinker” is changed, how do you think about religion, politics, work, love, parenting, nature, the future, and a thousand other topics that you will now be looking at with new glasses? That’s why repentance is not a one-time thing. We need a daily dose if we are going to be faithful interpreters of this world. Our worldview, which is an accumulation of our presuppositions, is rooted in repentance which is based In Scripture.
How utterly futile it is for the unbeliever to go through life rudderless in thought or action. That’s why they are called “fools.” We have the message of the gift of repentance that is the only hope for people to be turned around before plunging into a Godless eternity. Repent! For the Kingdom is at hand. Today is the day of salvation, tonight your soul may be required of you.