Why repent?

When we think of the term "repent" we may remember a bearded fellow carrying a sign which says, "Repent, the end is near."  It has somewhat of a comical connotation. However, "repentance" and "repent" are certainly terms that were frequently used by Old Testament Prophets, John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Apostles.  So, what did they mean by these terms, and how should it apply to us?  "To repent" basically means to turn.  Often the prophets exhorted the people to "turn from their wicked ways” Two classic examples are Jeremiah 25:4-6 and Hosea 10:12.

The Prophets

 

    4      “And the Lord has sent to you all His servants the prophets again and again, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear,

    5      saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell on the land which the Lord has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever;

    6      and do not go after other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands, and I will do you no harm.’^[1](Jer 25:4-6)

Hosea gave a vivid picture of repentance when he said to "break up your fallow ground".

Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you. (Ho 10:12, NASB95)

Obviously, heart preparation is often needed for true repentance.  Over time our hearts and minds drift from pure devotion to God.  A crust can form in over our soul. If we truly want to turn back to the Lord, we may need to break up this hard and resistant soil. 

Repentance can also mean "a change of mind". To turn is a choice.  It is a volitional act of the will.  But true repentance also involves a change of mind.  We must change the way we think.  If we are following a wicked course of action, a change of mind would be necessary to turn from our evil ways.

John the Baptist

John the Baptist often challenged the crowds by saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He gave an additional warning to the Sadducees and Pharisees, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; (Mt 3:5, 8)

Of course, John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus Christ.  He was calling people everywhere to change their actions by the way they were living and change their mind about the way they were thinking.  True repentance would be evidenced by a change in lifestyle along with a change of perspective.  He was calling them to get ready to receive the King, something they could not do in their present condition. The Pharisees and Sadducees were a classic example of fake repentance.  John wanted true repentance.

Jesus preached repentance and taught his disciples to do the same.

• He called people to repent…

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4:17) 

• He often referenced repentance in his ministry… 

And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Lk 13:2-3)

 

• He included repentance in the Great Commission in Luke… 

and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Lk 24:46-47) 

• He called the early churches to repent in Revelations… 

‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. (Rev 2:5)

Peter at Pentecost

In the first two evangelistic messages recorded in Acts, Peter calls the crowd to repent and believe in Christ.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19)

A change of heart and mind was essential for them as they received the gift of eternal life.  They must turn from their self-centered ways and receive Christ as Savior and Lord.  

So, what about us?

Obviously, repentance is crucial for anyone wanting to be properly related to God.  Indeed, it is essential for salvation, and for Christian growth.  But what motivates us toward repentance?

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom 2:4)

Our first impression might be that the fear of the Lord, or dread of punishment might be the primary reason someone would repent.  I'm sure it can play a role.  But Paul reminds us that God's kindness is what draws us to heartfelt repentance.  He also explains that like the Sadducees and Pharisees, not all repentance is sincere.  There is a type of repentance that does not lead us closer to God, but farther away.  We can feel sorrowful about our sin, or the results of our sin, and yet fail to truly confess our sin to God. (2 Cor 7:9-10)

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous 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 Jn 1:5-10)

Any time we become aware of an attitude or action that is displeasing to the Lord, it's time to confess and repent.  Confession simply means "to agree with".  We agree with God that we have sinned, and that sin is displeasing to the Lord.  We agree that it was wrong and that we do not want to keep doing it.  And we agree that Jesus died on the cross for that sin, and that we can be forgiven.  It's appropriate at that point to invite God to fill us with the Spirit for the power to live the Christian life.

Some repentance is for more everyday issues, others can be for momentous issues.  It is a bit like house cleaning.  We may pick up the house when needed.  Other times we spend all day doing "spring cleaning".  That is when sin has built up over time and not dealt with appropriately.  That is when 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 is necessary.

"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and 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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Ch 7:13–14 NASB95)

This instructs us to humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Then He promises to hear from heaven, to forgive our sin, and to heal our land.

What do you need?  Just to pick up a few items, or a thorough house cleaning? Whatever it is, do not wait.  Do it now.

Questions to consider:

1. Are there attitudes or actions that you need to repent of?
2. Can you confess them to the Lord?
3. Can you claim His forgiveness?

Related Posts:

What is Revival?

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^[1] All passages in this post were taken from New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).