Repentance

 

Repentance is a concept that is talked about in both the Old and New Testaments. So, what is repentance and is it really important?

 

First, is repentance really that important?

 

Matthew 3:2

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

Repentance was at the heart of John the Baptist’s message.

 

Matthew 4:17

From that time on Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

Repentance was at the heart of Jesus’ message.

 

Mark 6:12

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.

 

When Jesus sent the Twelve out, the heart of their message was repentance.

 

Acts 2:38

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

In Peter’s first sermon on Pentecost, he tells the people to repent so they can receive forgiveness of their sins and so they can receive the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 17:30

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.

 

Paul preaching in Athens says that all people everywhere are to repent.

 

The message of Jesus and the early church had at its heart the concept of repentance.

 

So, is repentance really that important? The answer is a huge YES!

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about seeing repentance as a very important concept in our relationship and walk with Jesus.

 

So, what is repentance?

 

The dictionary definition is a feeling of sincere regret expressed in remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.

 

But that is not the biblical concept of repentance. Repentance from a biblical viewpoint is the act of changing one’s mind that goes beyond regret or remorse or feeling sorry that you got caught in your sin or sorry over the consequences of your sin. It is a complete change of orientation involving a judgment upon the past and a deliberate redirection of the future.

 

There are three words in the New Testament that give us a picture of true biblical repentance.

 

•A change of mind that produces real sorrow over the sin

•A change of one’s mind and purpose

•A change of one’s direction in life

 

There are four truths that come from these words that show us what true biblical repentance is.

 

An awareness of one’s own personal sinfulness and helplessness

A taking hold of the grace of God

A change of attitude toward sin in which one hates sin

A radical and persistent pursuit of holy living being expressed in complete obedience to God

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about experiencing and expressing true biblical repentance.

 

There are seven results that come from repentance.

 

•Acts 3:19-20: Sins blotted out, times of refreshing from the Lord, experiencing Jesus’ presence in our lives

 

•Matthew 3:8: Godly spiritual fruit being produced in our lives

 

•2 Corinthians 7:10: Salvation that does away with guilt and shame

 

•2 Timothy 2:25: A knowledge of the truth

 

•Hebrews 6:1: Getting rid of dead works and experiencing real faith in God

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about repenting and experiencing the results of true repentance.

 

How are we brought to repentance? In Romans 2:4 Paul says it is through God’s kindness.  

 

In summary, repentance is a complete and irreversible change of mind, heart, and actions. Repentance recognizes that our sin is offensive to God. Repentance means to do an about about-face which is heart-directed. Repentance is to turn away from self to God, from the past to a future ruled by God’s commands. Repentance is acknowledging that Jesus is Lord and that He reigns supreme over all of one’s existence.

 

In Humble Repentance Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                              Joe