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Last night I had a conversation with one of my children about some wrong behavior in their lives that had been undetected. Mark and I recently realized they were heading into dangerous territory and we sat them down immediately. We warned of the traps of the enemy and the lure of the world. We emphasized that the temptation they had given in to could lead to worse choices down the road. I know we were heard. I trust the advice was heeded. They seemed remorseful. But honestly, the only true guarantee of their change of heart is in repentance. I want to talk more about repentance in today’s blog.
Many view repentance as a feeling of remorse or sorrow for our sin. We might even head to the altar on a Sunday to ask God to forgive us for something we’ve done wrong or something we know grieves Him. You may say to yourself, “This is me repenting of my sin. I regret doing it. I am laying it down here at the altar and asking God to forgive me. I have a repentant heart.” The beauty is that God does forgive as we confess our sins. (1 John 1:9). But that’s not repentance…that’s confession. Repentance is changing your mind about your sin – seeing sin the way God sees it.
John the Baptist emphasized the importance of repentance in our salvation.
I was reading the other day in Luke 3. John was traveling about, baptizing people who had professed their faith in Christ and wanted to be baptized to identify with His redeeming work through his death burial and resurrection. It says in Luke 3:3
Notice what we read in Luke 3:3, Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. (emphasis mine)
John was sure to include “repent” in his message to those who would believe because salvation is not salvation without it.
John’s message was a call to repentance. Some people think that repentance is mostly about feelings, especially feeling sorry for your sin. It is wonderful to feel sorry about your sin, but repent isn’t a “feelings” word. It is an action word. John told his listeners to make a change of the mind, not merely to feel sorry for what they had done. Repentance speaks of a change of direction, not a sorrow in the heart. David Guzik
repent: to change one’s way (of thinking, living, being); a complete change of thought and attitude. A turning from. A turning to.
So how is it that our churches are flooded with people who fashion a “salvation” without repentance, Our minds have not been fully convinced that our way leads to death and God’s way leads to life. We tend to gravitate toward a gospel that boasts we add Jesus to our already packed and hurried lives and hope He will bless it… we even expect Him to. This is not the Gospel.
In verse 8 John the Baptist says to his audience, Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.
John didn’t mince words. He was direct. He rebuked putting one’s faith in “religious behaviors or customs” for salvation. The bottom line was that one’s outward behavior should reflect a heart of repentance.
Here’s what I’m getting at. When it comes to repentance, it is impossible to truly and fully change your mind without it causing a change in actions.
So the question is this. Does your life “in Christ” look different than your life “before Christ?” Has there been a change in you? Have you repented…changed your mind, changed your direction?
I’m not asking if you feel guilty for sin and confess it a lot. I’m asking if you’ve changed your mind about it.
This is a place where many people become stuck.
What John is doing as he travels the countryside preaching repentance and turning toward God is paramount to the Christian faith. Why? Because it becomes the necessary habit of the believer. In order to walk in fellowship with Jesus everyday, I find myself turning from my flesh, repenting of my ideas, plans and feelings and turning to God for His power to pour into my heart and life. So I repent and go on repenting. I continue to fight my flesh and ask God’s Spirit to change my mind about my sin. In this beautiful relationship, I find freedom and abundance.
My initial repentance at salvation then turns into a necessary daily act for me as a believer. And outward change is an evidence of repentance taking place. “I’m not the person I used to be.” I have turned from that old me and I continue to turn away. I fix my eyes on Jesus and walk with Him. What’s changed in your life since you gave your heart to Jesus?
Have you repented, my friend? I’m not asking if you’ve felt guilt over sin. I’m not asking if you prayed a prayer. I’m not asking if you have joined a church and jumped in to serving. I am asking if, in the conviction of your sin, you have changed your mind about your sin. I’m asking if you have turned to Jesus and believed all He has done for you through His work on the cross. This is the way of repentance we see in His Word and it’s reflected in the one who follows Christ.
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.. Acts 3:19
