Repentance includes the sorrow for sin and turning away from it. It is the idea of returning to God or turning away from evil. The question of how we can be made just with God has perplexed people throughout generations. For example, the multitude on the day of the Pentacost, after Peter’s sermon, were convicted of their sins and cried out “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter’s response to them was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) The keyword from Peter’s call is “Repent”.
In other parts of the New Testament, we also see similar occurrences. The term repentance is used and it indicates “turning away from sin” (Mark 1:4). It has two senses which are “having a change of mind and having regret/remorse. Let’s notice Luke 3:10-14. After the crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers heard John’s sermon they asked, “what shall we do then…” They had remorse and had a change of mind about their deeds and were inquiring about how to make their deeds better.
Jesus also began His ministry by calling people to repent Mathew 4:17. We also notice the call to repentance in the Book of Revelation 2:5, 2:16, 2:21-22, 3:3, 3:19. These are just but a few examples of the call to repentance and the meaning of the term as used throughout the Bible.
So how do we go about having genuine repentance? In the book Steps to Christ, Mrs. White writes. ‘There are many who fail to understand the true nature of repentance. Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned and even make an outward reformation because they fear that their wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves. But this is not repentance in the Bible sense. They lament the suffering rather than the sin.” For there to be real change in our lives, we have to understand the sinfulness that surrounds us and turn away from it with all our hearts. We are naturally inclined to sin1 and the Bible teaches us that only through Christ can we sinners be made righteous.
David in his Psalms shows us what true repentance entails. After prophet Nathan confronted him with his sin (2 Samuel 12) He was convicted of his sin and repented.
Here are some ways by which we can have true repentance as did David. (Psalms 51)
Acknowledge and confess your sins (Psalms 51:3-6)
The first step to genuine repentance is understanding what sin is and acknowledging that you have sinned. David uses terms like ‘iniquity’, ‘sin’, and ‘transgression’. We need to accept that we have sinned against God and that we are guilty while God is just.
Appeal to God’s mercy and earnestly pray for the pardon of your sins. (Psalms 51: 1-2)
David knows that God is merciful and that He has unfailing love for him. We should also appeall for pardon based on who God is. He is Love and abundant in mercy and He is not willing that anyone should perish but that all may have eternal life (John 3:16)
Ask for grace to go and sin no more (Psalms 51:10-11)
Ask God to create in you a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within you. This is claiming the promise of God in Ezekiel 36:26.
Ask for peace of conscience (Psalms 51:8’12)
David asks God to restore in him the joy of His salvation. This informs us that there is joy in salvation and when we seek it the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding will guide our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Give praise to God and proclaim His truth to others (Psalms 51:12-15)
David asks God to open his lips so that his mouth can show forth praise. He also asks God to uphold him with His generous Spirit so that he can teach others the ways of God. David asks God to open his lips so that his mouth can show forth praise. He also asks God to uphold him with His generous Spirit so that he can teach others the ways of God. After our confession and repentance, we should not be left drowning in our sorrows but we should go and proclaim to others the wonderful saving power of Jesus Christ.
Practicing repentance this way will help us see sin’s sinful nature and hence hate it. We will then be drawn closer to the Savior and proclaim Him to others.
We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be forgiven. The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf. Those to whom He has forgiven most will love Him most, and will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin. When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us, when we understand something of the infinite sacrifice that Christ has made in our behalf, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition.
Steps to Christ.
Throughout the Bible, we see two sides to repenting. There is the sovereign act of God’s mercy and our conscious decision to turn to God. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4). When we lift up Jesus Christ in our lives we get drawn closer to Him. We then see our sinful nature reflected in His perfect nature. We then get the conviction to repent, willingly turn from our sins, and follow Christ.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
‘It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin.’ wow!!