What does the Bible say about Repentance?

The Bible speaks about repenting from sin. To repent means to change one’s mind, to turn from, and turn to God. Here mind is referred to but the heart is implied. John the Baptist came crying Repent! Repent! Jesus Christ began His ministry with a call to repentance in Matt 4: 17. This call is not to the nation of Israel or nation but it is now the call of repentance to the individual. When we repent and turn to God for Salvation we must exercise or use our faith to receive Salvation.

Matthew 4:17 (KJV)
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:17 (NLT) From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Matthew 4:17 The “kingdom of heaven” has the same significance as the “kingdom of God” in Mark and Luke. Matthew uses this phrase because the Jews, out of their strong reverence and respect, did not pronounce God’s name. The kingdom of heaven is still near because it has arrived in our hearts. Jesus began his ministry with the very word or message people had listened to John the Baptist say: “Repent.” This message is the same today as when Jesus and John presented it. Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centeredness and selfish and controlling ways and turning our lives over to Christ’s direction and control.

There are two types of repentance and we can see both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. I will call them this way throughout this text.

1. WORLDLY REPENTANCE

2. TRUE REPENTANCE

What does it mean when I say True Repentance or spiritual repentance?

What does it mean when I say Worldly Repentance?

Let us look at both ways through the word of God:

1. WORLDLY REPENTANCE

Turn your Bible to Exodus Read Chapter 9:

9:1 This was the fifth time God impelled Moses back to Pharaoh with this demand, “Let my people go!” Moses may have been tired and discouraged, but he continued to obey. Is there a difficult conflict you must face repeatedly? Don’t give up, don’t quit, when you know what is right to do. Moses discovered, persistence and patience is a virtue of God and God will reward obedience.

9:12 God gave Pharaoh numerous opportunities to observe Moses’ warnings. But in the end God seemed to say, “All right, Pharaoh, have it your own way,” and Pharaoh’s heart developed into permanently hardened. Did God deliberately harden Pharaoh’s heart and make null and void his free will? No, he merely confirmed that Pharaoh wholeheartedly chose and preferred a life of resisting God. Likewise, after a lifetime of resisting God, people may possibly find it impossible to turn to him. Don’t delay until just the right time before turning to God. Act now as you still have the opportunity. If you persistently ignore God’s voice, eventually you will be unable to hear God’s call at all.

Focus: 9:27-34 After promising to let the Hebrews go, Pharaoh immediately broke his promise and brought even more trouble upon the land. His actions reveal that his repentance was not real. We do damage to ourselves and to others if we pretend to change but don’t mean it

Pharaoh represents the world’s type of repentance. Pharaoh cried out to Moses’ and said he repented but as soon as the plague or hardship was removed he returned to the same sin. How many times have been guilty of refusing to obey God’s word and asking for forgiveness and shortly after the hardship is over we return to the same sin or thing that brought us into bondage in the first place. Pharaoh experienced the power and might of the one true living God and the world of Pharaoh would learn about the Lord through these experiences. Pharaoh represents the natural or physical mans reasoning against the word of God or the spiritual conflict between man and God. Natural disasters can cause us to call out in fear and helplessness; along with hardships or difficulties man cries out but this is not the same as true repentance but arises from the terror of the difficulty or hardship. Man will return to his sin when this type of repentance or bargaining is done. Pharaoh feared the hardships of the plagues but he did not fear or turn to the Lord with a true heart repentance.

Review:
- 1. Pharaoh did not acknowledge his sin or tendency to do wrong.
- 2. The nation and Pharaoh did not realize his sin was rebellion against God.
- 3. They never admitted their sin to God and turned from it.
- 4. Pharaoh never trusted in God’s willingness to forgive although God demonstrated his patience and Willing to relent.
- 5. Pharaoh never accepted forgiveness because the hardness of his heart.
2. TRUE REPENTANCE:

Turn your Bible to verses Ezra10 and read.

10:1-2 Focus verses: 3-4-11 Ezra prayed earnestly from the heart. A large coward wept with him. The hearts turned to repentance and turned to God.

10:3 Why were the reasons these men were commanded to send away their wives and children? Even though the measure was extreme, intermarriage to pagans was strictly forbidden and outlawed (Deut. 7:3-4), and even the priests and Levites had intermarried. This might be compared today as to a Christian marrying a devil worshiper. Although a hardnosed solution, it only involved 113 of the approximately 29,000 families. These marriages were outside the law with pagans who served other gods. They were not covenant marriages. Even today, many are not in covenant marriages. They were believers marrying unbelievers.

Ezra’s strong action, although very difficult for some people, was necessary to preserve and protect Israel as a nation dedicated to God. Some of the exiles of the northern kingdom of Israel had lost both their spiritual and physical characteristics through intermarriage. Their pagan spouses were the root the people worshiping idols. Ezra did not desire this to happen to the exiles of the southern kingdom of Judah.

10:3-4, 11 Following, Ezra’s earnest heart rendering prayer, the people confessed their sin to God. They asked for direction and the God’s way and will in restoring their relationship with God. True repentance does not end with words of confession; this would be mere lip service. Repentance must lead to corrected behavior, actions and changed attitudes. When you sin and are truly sorry or remorseful, confess your sin to God, ask His forgiveness, and accept His grace, mercy and forgiveness. Then, as an act of appreciation for your forgiveness, make the needed corrections. 1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10:11 As believers in Jesus Christ, all our sins are forgiven. Christ Jesus’ death cleansed us from all sin. Why do we still confess our sins? Confession is more than appropriation of Christ’s forgiveness for what we have done wrong, and we do not have to re-confess sins that were previously confessed. Confession is agreeing with God that our thoughts, words, attitudes and actions are wrong and contrary to God’s will. It is recommitting ourselves, to do his will and to renounce any acts of disobedience. Confession is turning away from sin and asking God for fresh power to live for him.

Focus verses: 3-4-11

Ezra prayed earnestly from the heart. A large coward wept with him.

The people repented from the heart but repentance did not stop with confession. The people turned from their sin, wrong deeds and actions or deeds. True repentance will not stop at confession or it is only lip service. Confession is agreeing with God that our thoughts, actions, behaviors and attitudes are opposing to his word and will. True repentance will lead to change. Confession and repentance brings about recommitting to God’s will and word, and renouncing our disobedience to God. Disobedience is rebellion and the Bible or word says this is the same as witchcraft. Disobedience brings death. Obedience brings life.

By Marcella Whitaker

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