True Repentance Series

Is the phrase “Repent and turn from sin” Biblical? Hopefully, this lesson will clarify a few things. Not only did Jesus Christ command us to go forth and make disciples of all nations, He also taught that Christians are to warn the people of other countries that they too must repent and turn to God while there is yet time. There are several historical and Biblically documented examples when complete cities and entire states ran out of time without changing their sinful, abominable ways.

Proverbs 1:23 guides us by saying, “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.” John 3:17-18 assures believers and condemns non-believers. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Acts 3:19 provides inspired guidance applicable to all, sinners and saints alike! “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” Not to be trite, but think of that as the 'Carrot' portion of the phrase 'the carrot or the stick,' which refers to a method of persuasion or coercion that uses rewards or punishments as motivators. Luke 13:3 can be considered to be an example of the 'Stick!' “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!”

Repentance is a modification of your mind and attitude about accepting Jesus as your personal Savior. With faith and repentance, you embrace what He has done for you, and you wish and strive to conquer your personal demons that cause you to sin. A newfound, genuine repentance can change you, wholly. The essence of your soul will be denatured. You will delight in God, in Christ, in His Law, and in His people.

Rosaria Butterfield, an Ohio professor of English Literature, confessed of her battle with sin. “One very difficult aspect of sin is that my sin never feels like sin to me. My sin feels like life to me, plain and simple. My heart is an idol factory, and my mind is an excuse-making factory.”

On the whole, her words ring mostly true to me. However, my sin usually feels like sin to me. Maybe, in the heat of the moment, it does not, but the stain of sin seeps into my heart, and the stings of conscience torment my mind. Thus I know by ignoring my own sin, I wallow in shame.

It is good to confess our sins daily—for Christ is always faithful and willingly shields our sin from the eyes of God. Repentance is not a 'One and Done' type of contrition. Repentance in prayer is something that should be done daily, even multiple time daily. Now others, saved or unsaved, might say that since your sins are forgiven for the past, present, and future—you should not or need not repent often or more than once for the same sin. Sorry, that view is not in my heart. I know I'm forgiven, but my prayers are ongoing confessions of my shortcomings and expressions of my love for what Christ has endured for me.

Few humans, on their own, succeed in wholly turning away from sin. Still, your change of heart and attitude will lead to positive changes. A repentant heart does not lust to live a wicked life anymore. But your mind may still let you down. Think of those times as minor stumbles. You are not totally falling away from Christ. However, do try to turn away and resist sin every moment it raises its demon head and regurgitates Satan's vile lies.

When Jesus started His public ministry, He also called for repentance. Matthew 4:17 records, From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” John the Baptist preached the same message of repentance as found in Matthew 3:2, Mark 1:15, and Luke 3:3, 8.

Jesus says of repentance, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). Now I ask you, “Who do you know that needs not to repent? I know of no one.

Mark 6:12, relates that the disciples also “went out and preached that people should repent.” This preaching continued in Acts. Peter preached to Jews, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, 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). Paul preached to Gentiles, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30). And later he testified, “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:20-21). And, similarly, “I preached that they (all) should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).