Understanding Biblical Repentance
(Deep Dive Book-By-Book Journey Through The Bible)
In our study of Matthew, we are introduced to John the Baptist. John prepared people to receive Jesus by encouraging them to repent. John was in good company. Repentance was a message spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament. And Jesus began his public ministry with the same message (Matthew 4:17).
Matthew Chapter 3
Repentance Confusion
For many years, I didn’t know how to study the Bible.
When I heard in a sermon that John and Jesus had the same message of repentance, I was curious. Looking it up in an English dictionary (I didn't know there was a difference between an English and biblical dictionary), I learned that repentance was the process of realizing we have failed in an area. This realization causes regret, guilt, or shame.
I had already learned that condemnation for my actions was from the enemy, not God. Around this same time, I came across a quote by Martin Luther. It said, "Christ died for me. He made His righteousness mine and made my sin His own; and if He made my sin His own, then I do not have it, and I am free."
Putting those random pieces together with my childlike wisdom, I assumed that repentance was only relevant to my salvation. After my salvation, I was "safe" because Jesus took care of my sin through dying on the cross, and our loving Father wouldn't rub my nose in my mistake. He knew I didn't want to continue sinning. He knew my heart.
So I just knew the condemning emotions I experienced when I sinned were attacks from Satan tormenting me. God wanted me to trust Him, move on from my sinful act, and forget all about it. So that was my practice.
I was so wrong! I had no idea what biblical repentance was all about.
The Call To Repentance
As you read the book of Matthew, you will notice that the call to repentance comes before the Sermon on the Mount. That isn't an accident. We need to repent to become Christians. The Sermon on the Mount tells us how to live as Christians. We don't need to know how to behave as Christians until we are one. The whole process starts with repentance.
What Is Biblical Repentance?
But what is biblical repentance? I have heard so many definitions of repentance since beginning this study. But to me, the answer is that repentance is going to God, confessing our sin(s), and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, striving to produce changes where we no longer turn to our sin instead of turning to God.
A Spiritual Nudge
The process of salvation begins with the Holy Spirit's nudge to turn to God and repent from all that God calls unholy. The Holy Spirit works to soften hearts and draw all toward God. Because it takes place in the mind, I might think it is my own thoughts. But, seemingly out of the blue, I will start to doubt, question, and feel remorse for my actions. That is the nudging of the Holy Spirit.
Becoming a Christian doesn't make me immune to sin. Because I will mess up and sin daily, I still need the Holy Spirit to continue His work in me. God demands that every sin is noted, accounted for, and repented of regardless of where I am in my spiritual walk.
Every time I commit sin, the Holy Spirit will convict me. Every. Single. Time. He will remind me that I am not to do or say such and such. The Holy Spirit doesn't hit me over the head with this, but, He does make me aware in a way that only He can.
A Reaction To the Nudge
This gentle nudge is an opportunity to turn from my sin and turn to God. I can choose to act on this nudge, go to God in repentance. Or I can ignore the nudging of the Spirit and suffer the consequences.
Second Corinthians 7:10, says, "for godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted. But the sorrow of the world produces death."
Facing my sin will produce godly sorrow. It will always lead me to biblical repentance, which leads me back on the path of redemption. True biblical repentance will result in changes in my life, evident in my thoughts, attitudes, and actions. If my heart is right with God, turning from sin is never regretted.
What Biblical Repentance Is Not
Repentance in God's eyes is so much more than just saying you're sorry or you feel bad for what you've done. That's sorrow.
From the 2 Corinthians verse above, I see that sorrow is not the same as repentance. Allowing God to lead my life, with sin will come godly sorrow that requires change. If I have refused to allow God to be the ruler of my life, I might feel bad for doing wrong but I won't feel the need to turn from my sin or get right with Him.
It can be confusing because I might apologize and even make some outward changes. But changing my life without renewing my mind (thinking in alignment with God) will not last because my heart is far from God. Because I've left God out, I will go back to doing what pleases my carnal, fleshly desires. It’s only a matter of time.
Judas was deeply troubled with his part in the betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 27:3-4). He was gripped with remorse for his actions and tried to fix things with the priests and elders. Judas knew he had sinned and had regret. He turned to the priests and elders and confessed as much to them. But he wasn't convicted enough to submit to God in repentance for what he had done. We can tell others we’ve messed up all we want but until we take steps to get right with God we will still be lost in our sin.
Why Does Repentance Matter?
"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
This verse says that sin leads to spiritual death and eventual hell because it separates us from God. This applies to all men, regardless of their status in the church.
The Old Testament has a lot to say about sin. We read in Isaiah 1:15-16, "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you, even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood. Wash and make yourself clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong and learn to do right!"
When you lead a life of sin but think you are good to go because you pray, you are deceiving yourself. God says He will turn his face from you and refuse to hear your prayers until you get right with him. He admonishes us to use the Bible He has given us to learn to do things His way, (the right way).
Then, in Ezekiel 18:19-32, God shares his thoughts on sin and repentance. Among other things, He says, "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses. Then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit."
So I will be judged according to my sin with no exceptions or excuses accepted.
If I choose not to repent, sin will be my stumbling block pulling me toward hell and away from God. Or I can choose to turn to God in repentance. I can't remain on the fence about my sin. Every time I sin, I have a choice; even if I am not consciously aware, I am making a choice.
(I hope you take the time to read Ezekiel 18. It is a powerful chapter!)
Final Thoughts On Biblical Repentance
Unfortunately, I was a Christian way too long before I began to realize I had no clue what true biblical repentance was. Because of my ignorance, I had not been in the habit of repenting of my sins. As I said, I was sure Jesus took care of them on the cross, so they were forgotten as soon as they happened. When I thought about my sin, I just knew Satan was taunting me and needed to be rebuked. God wouldn't keep reminding me of my screw ups.
It's no wonder I was spiritually stagnant!
As I began to abide in the Word, I realized that not only was I confused about repentance, but even my thoughts of sin was warped and worldly. I excused or ignored my gossip, backbiting, and slander as acceptable because they weren't "serious" sins. But, as I learned from my study, all sin is a big deal, and all sin requires repentance!
Instead, God wants us to go to Him every time we sin. Regardless of the amount of sin in my life, God wants me to come back just as the Prodigal Son came back (Luke 15:11-32). If God calls me to forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22), think how much more He will forgive me!
Even as Christians we can be aware that we are sinning and not go to God in confession and repentance. Maybe we are being outright rebellious. Maybe, like I was, we are confused and immature in our knowledge and wisdom. Whatever our reason, not turning to God right away is not helping us! It is actually hurting us because we are sending ourselves to hell while blaming God for not loving us enough.
Friend, when I make the effort to turn to Him, Father God will always forgive and welcome me back into His loving arms.
Let’s Pray
Father God, thank you for using your Word to shine your light on this area in my life that I have been lacking in. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us victory over sin and death. Holy Spirit, I ask you to open my spiritual ears to hear the sin in my life you are revealing. Give me a tender heart towards your ways. Lord, you are my refuge, my rock, and my deliverer. Thank you for a renewed heart that seeks forgiveness of sin and to walk in your ways.
Lord God, I give you all the praise, honor, and glory for you have always been and will always be. Amen.
