Our Lord strongly warned, “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3b). Repentance is clearly an individual matter, and no one is exempt from it (cf. Acts 17:30-31). Even in my limited experience, I have noticed that repentance is often misunderstood. Repentance is quite possibly the most difficult of all the commands of Jesus for one to obey. The late J.W. McGarvey astutely observed that, “The greatest obstacle to the salvation of men is the obstinacy of the human will” (97). Repentance must be understood and obeyed if we are ever to enter heaven.
Firstly, note the explanation of repentance. What is repentance? Simply explained, repentance is a change of mind brought about by godly sorrow, which results in the reformation of one’s life. Repentance is not just being sorry (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10). Bible repentance is evident in one’s life from a change in the fruit we produce (cf. Luke 3:8). One cannot truly repent and continue in the same sin for which he professedly repented! One who biblically repents does not persist in sin (Romans 6:1-2; Galatians 2:20).
Secondly, let’s note some examples of repentance. When Israelites were convicted of taking unauthorized wives, they repented by “putting away” the sinful unions (Ezra 10:1ff). Israel had godly sorrow, which led to a change of mind, which ultimately led to a change of life. When the prophet Jonah preached repentance to Nineveh, the people were made sorry that they had offended God (Jonah 3:5a), which led to their change of mind (John 3:5b-7a), which resulted in their change of lifestyle (Jonah 3:7b-10). When Paul preached to those in Ephesus, they were sorry for their sins, they changed their minds (Acts 19:18), which led to a change of lifestyle (Acts 19:19). They did not persist in using curious arts! Had they persisted in their witchcraft, they would not have biblically repented.
Lastly, consider the encouragement to repent. There are essentially two reasons that would cause one to be sorry for sin, change his or her mind, and change one’s lifestyle. Both God’s goodness and God’s severity are encouraging reasons for one to repent (cf. Romans 2:4-6; 11:22). God’s relentless patience, rich blessings and repeated mercies ought to drive us to penitent knees, where with tear-filled eyes, changed minds and reformed lives we begin again. God is so good, that you and I must leave our sinful ways and follow Him! However, if His goodness does not drive one to repent, then maybe His severity will bring about repentance. Each one will stand before Jesus the Judge and attempt somehow to give a defense as to why he or she did not repent (c.f. Acts 17:30-31). What defense could one give? What possibly could we say? God is waiting for each one who is in need of repentance to do so before it is eternally too late (2 Peter 3:9)!
What is keeping you from godly sorrow, from changing your mind, which ultimately will lead to a changed life? Whatever it is, remove that sinful thing today! We entreat you Dear Reader to repent, because “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”!
Works Cited
McGarvey, J.W. Sermons. Cincinnati: Standard, n.d.
