What is Genuine Repentance?

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at: But now
commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a
day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in
that He that raised Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30, 31

The word repent is “to change one’s mind i.e. to repent, to change
one’s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past
sins.” The idea of repentance is not being sorrowful that one got caught in
something; but it rather is a complete change in the person’s attitude
regarding his life or action with a complete change or an about face
regarding the action. This is sufficiently illustrated by the parable of the
two sons in Matthew 21:28-32. The father told one son to go work in his
vineyard, the son told him he would but did not (v.30). When the father
asked the first son to go and work in the vineyard, he refused then repented
and went (vs.28-29). From this parable we learn that repentance is the
changing of one’s mind resulting in one’s action.

Repentance requires a turning away from that which a person has
repented of. In writing to the Thessalonians Paul reminded them that they
had turned “…to God from idols to serve the living and true God”
(1Thessalonians 1:9). Paul serves as a perfect example of this principle.
Paul was a Jewish (Pharisee). He was educated by Gamaliel according to the perfect manner of the law (Acts 22:3). He was a persecutor of the church, “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison. Having received authority from the chief priests: and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them (Acts 26:9-10). His having his encounter with the Lord, he made a complete turn around and began preaching the one he had been persecuting (Acts 9:20-21).

Repentance is a command of God. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). To love God is to keep His commandments (John 14:15). True repentance shows a proper love for God, a refusal to repent demonstrates a lack of love for God (John 14:24).

Repentance requires putting away transgression, making within oneself a clean heart.  The prophet Ezekiel said to Israel, “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed: and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die, O house of Israel” (Ezekiel 18:31). Note that repentance requires putting away transgression and developing a new heart. Far too many today think repentance is simply saying I am sorry
without putting away or changing anything, while true repentance requires putting away and making a clean heart.

Repentance is a necessary condition to the forgiveness of sin. “Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). In Acts 3:19 they were told “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Not only is repentance necessary to become a Christian but is necessary to remain a faithful Christian. Simon had obeyed the Gospel in Acts 8:13 but sinned as a Christian Acts 8:14-21. To avoid perishing Simon was told “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

Repentance is essential to escape eternal destruction. “I tell you, nay; but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). “The Lord is not slack concerning his promises, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). To perish is to be eternally separated from God (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). To avoid perishing one must
genuinely repent of his sin.

What mindset do we have regarding our sin? Do we claim repentance to appease someone or get someone off our backs, or some other ill motivated reasons or perhaps we feel that we are good enough that we have nothing to repent of? If this is our attitude perhaps we would do well to carefully read 1 John 1:8-10. To the faithful Christian he is continually mindful of his or her sin, having constantly a continual attitude of repentance. May the Lord help us all to have an attitude of genuine repentance and an humble spirit of service.

Bill Cantrell

March 17, 2019