Living in Repentance

Repentance must be a hallmark of every believer. It is part and parcel of who we are in Christ. Repentance is not just a resolve to do better; everyone who has ever made New Year's resolutions knows how easily our determination can be broken. Repentance certainly is not penance, an activity performed to try to atone for one's own sins; only Jesus can atone for our sins. But neither is repentance a solely intellectual issue. Surely even Judas changed his mind, or as the Scriptures say, had “remorse”, as evidenced by his giving back the bag of money he received to betray Jesus; what he didn’t do was turn from his sin and throw himself on the Lord for mercy. Repentance is not just a change of mind; it is a change of heart. It is a spiritual turning, a total about-face. It is a heart’s desire to change from your sinfulness and embrace the righteousness of Christ.

The Greek word for “repentance” is metanoia. Literally, it means “change of mind and change of heart.” As metanoia is used in the New Testament, it always speaks of a change of purpose, specifically a turning from sin. When I think of my sin, repentance is the means to help me agree with God about my sin according to His Word and then turn from or put off my sin through repentance. This is simply what it means: to confess (agree with God that what you have done is sin) and turn from my sin and turn to Christ. Repentance will bring spiritual fruit. It will be seen in the life of the repentant one. And when it comes to our repentance, our contrite heart, our sorrow for the act of sin, will speak louder than the sin that was committed. The fruit of our repentance must always be greater than the sin committed, because we understand how grievous our sin is against a Holy God. 

Jesus used repentance as a call to leave one’s old life and turn to new life in Him. Paul said it this way in 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10, “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” Throughout Scripture, we see the call to repent from sin and turn to God.

Christ warned His followers of the eternal consequences of sinful rebellion, saying in Luke 13:5, “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Paul concluded his sermon on Mars Hill with a command to repent, in light of God’s judgment. In Acts 17:30–31 he said, “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 

Repentance in the context of the new birth means turning from sin to the Savior. It is an inward response, not an external activity, but its fruit will be evident in the true believer's behavior. Luke 3:8 admonishes, “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance…”

It has often been said that repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. That coin is called conversion. Repentance turns one from sin to Christ, and faith embraces Him as the only hope of salvation and righteousness. That is what conversion means in simple terms.

So what is our takeaway from all this? We must understand that although repentance is required for saving faith, repentance does not end at salvation. Because salvation does not immediately eliminate all sin, believers must repent regularly. Consequently, believers will struggle against sin for the rest of their earthly lives. Yet the Bible calls them to repent of their sins and restore their fellowship with God. King David truly understood this. Psalm 51 is his heart confession and repentance. David knew that his sin put him out of God’s favor. As you read Psalm 51:1–17, listen to his heart and desire to get right with God:

“Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;

 According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.

Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight,

So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise.

For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

The implication here is that those who do know God do not go on practicing sin. Instead, as repentant people, they are killing sin. May we pursue Christ and kill our sin with the means that God has given us. Through confession and repentance, may our Lord wash us clean.