What is repentance?
Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of direction: turning from sin and turning to God. It is the necessary companion of faith: to believe the gospel is to turn from the sins it forgives. Repentance is God's gift and the doorway to a new life.
This question arose from studying What is the gospel?.
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What the Scripture says
Repentance is a turn toward God
Jesus' first word was 'repent, and believe in the gospel.' Paul declared that people should 'repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.' It is not just feeling sorry; it is changing direction, from sin and toward God.
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
It is a gift, not a self-made resolution
God exalted Jesus 'to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins,' and the church rejoiced that 'God has also granted the Gentiles repentance to life.' Repentance is not something we must produce by force of will; it is something God works in us.
God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”
in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
Godly sorrow fuels it
'Godly sorrow produces a repentance leading to salvation, bringing no regret,' unlike worldly sorrow that only grieved over being caught. It is sorrow over sin, toward God: the broken and contrite heart He will not despise.
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity.
It is about turning, not just feeling
'Repent, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.' Ezekiel calls Israel to 'return and turn from all your transgressions, and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit.' Repentance that stops at emotion is not yet repentance; it must turn.
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,
Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Repentance and faith are two sides of one turn
Paul preached 'repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.' Luke sums up the mission as 'repentance and remission of sins' proclaimed in His name. You cannot turn to Jesus while refusing to turn from what grieves Him.
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
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Verses to meditate on
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?
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