Repentance is generally looked upon as ‘being sorry.’ But why are people sorry?
Some are sorry because they are caught. Some because it cost them something. And some worry about what people think. But these are only side issues.
Repentance is different. It means a change of mind – and this goes to the heart of the matter. Listen to what God says about it.
Repentance is for one and all. The Bible says it is for ’all … everywhere.” 1 The word ‘all’ leaves out none. Repentance is for all age groups, both men and women.
Then the word ‘everywhere’ tells us that no exceptions are made on account of race. To us, no matter who we are or where we are, God says, ‘Repent.’
Repentance means owning up. We must come to God openly and honestly. No excuses. No shifting blame to others. No watering it down.
Take David. He was a king and an absolute ruler. Yet when he committed adultery, God dealt with him. He even tried to cover it up by arranging the death of the woman’s husband. But nothing can be hidden from God. Finally, he confessed in repentance, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’2 Many would hardly give it a thought, but David knew that with God adultery is sin.
Or take the prodigal son. He wasted his money by extravagant living and was finally reduced to nothing. Then he came to himself and acknowledged, ‘I have sinned against heaven…’3 he was a waster. A profligate. Other would call it having a good time. God calls it sin.
Repentance has an object in view. There is always a reason for it. Ever changed your mind to please your family? To keep in with friends? Then what about a change of mind toward God? The Bible calls it ’Repentance toward God.’4
Sure, David sinned against the woman’s husband. But his confession never mentioned it. He saw beyond that. He saw that all sin is firstly against God. We must adopt the same viewpoint.
Repentance does not just occur, it is the goodness of God that leads us to it.5 We would assume that if God made known His displeasure sinners would repent. Not so. It is the gentleness and graciousness of God which leads us to a change of mind. Gently He speaks, troubling us about our sins, about dying and meeting Him. Do not ignore His voice.
Repentance has an outcome. It is not an end in itself. We can repent all our life and still miss heaven at the end.
Therefore, the Bible says –
- ‘Repent and turn to God.’6 Not to a good man. Nor to a church. Remember none can forgive sins but God alone.
- ‘Repent and believe the gospel.’7 The gospel is not about doing good or helping others. The gospel is about what Christ has done. How He suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.8 We must rely on it to get the good of it.
- ‘Repent and be converted.’9 A change of mind must lead to a change of direction in our life. Anything short of this shows we have never repented at all
Repentance is an order. It is God who commands it. He will judge the world in righteousness and in view of this He commands all men everywhere to repent.10 It will be too late at the judgement day. That is why the Bible says, ‘Now is the day of salvation.’11 Which brings us to the final fact.
There is an option. Either we repent or we don’t. Unless we do, we will perish.12 These are the simple and stark terms that Christ used. He gladly welcomes and receives sinners. His words are full of grace – but also of truth. Therefore, He warns us of the alternative to not repenting. God calls sinners to repentance.13 That is the reason he calls us and will receive us. Remember David. He repented. he confessed. And He told us the outcome. ‘God forgave the iniquity of my sin. 14
- Acts 17:30 2. 2 Samuel 12:13 3. Luke 15:18
4. Acts 20:21 5. Romans 2:4 6. Acts 26:20
7. Mark 1:15 8. 1 Peter 3:18 9. Acts 3:19
10. Acts 17:30&31 11. 2 Corinthians 6:2 12. Luke 13:3
13. Matthew 9:13 14. Psalm 32:5
Originally a leaflet for distribution
With permission from family of Bruce W Allen
Hastings, New Zealand.
