True Repentance: Turning from Sin toward Christ

What is true repentance? Figures vary a lot, but something over 40% of Americans profess to be "Born Again" yet there is little or no evidence to give confirmation of that profession. So many people claim that they love Jesus, yet they live in direct disobedience to both His direct commandments and the principles of His Word. Why are so many excuses given for sin? And why are we, as Christians, so willing to make excuses for those in sin?

When Jesus began his ministry, He did so by preaching "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). When Jesus sent out the Apostles, He told them to preach that "repentance and forgiveness for sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations” (Luke 24). Salvation is by faith alone, but real faith is always accompanied by repentance. This change of mind from disbelief to belief is called “metanoia” or “repentance.” When a person comes to understand the sufficiency of the finished work of Christ on his behalf and believes it, he has repented and has passed from death into life. Therefore, repentance is not an act separate from believing the gospel, but is inherent in the act of believing. 

Paul also preached repentance. Paul told the Athenians, "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). In Acts 20:21, Paul summed up his ministry by saying he "declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus." 

Repentance is also not an option for living the Christian life. When a Christian sins, repentance is necessary to restore one's relationship both with God and with those sinned against. 

Repentance is an ongoing process. It is not something done once and forever accomplished. It is not enough to once change your mind about sin. True repentance affects the whole person and should result in a renewed lifestyle. This turning from sin and self toward Christ is and must be a continuing process. It is a day-by-day progression of refusing to follow sin and self and of deliberately following Christ.

Genuine repentance involves three things:

First, it involves the renunciation of sin. “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13, NIV). The prodigal son upon coming home, told his Father, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.”

Secondly, true repentance seeks a reconciliation with others. Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23-24, NASB).

Finally, authentic repentance includes a restitution for sin whenever possible. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, said to Jesus when he visited, “‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ “Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house’” (Luke 19:8-9, NIV).

Are there any specific sins in your life that you have never truly repented of? Are you willing to repent of those sins here and now and enjoy the forgiveness and fellowship that only comes through Jesus Christ?