Repentance: The Forgotten Command That Determines Eternity

[David]

The missing word in today’s Gospel is repentance. When was the last time you heard someone preach repentance? If you had to guess, it’s been a long time for most of us. But flip open the Bible and you’ll find the word on every page. [By this I mean that the call to repentance is found throughout Scripture, not that the literal word appears on every individual page.] John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus began His earthly ministry with nothing other than these words (Matthew 4:17). The apostles preached it, the early church lived it, and heaven itself exults when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). Repentance is not some minor theme of the Bible. It is at the very center of the gospel. [Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection are the heart and content of the gospel. Repentance is central to the biblical call and response to that gospel. I am not saying repentance replaces Christ or His finished work.]

So what does repentance really mean? The New Testament word for repent, metanoia, refers to a change of mind that results in a change of direction. [More precisely, metanoia is the noun translated “repentance,” while metanoeō is the verb translated “repent.” The words involve a change of mind, but the full biblical meaning is seen in the context of turning toward God.] It’s not just feeling bad about your sin. It’s turning from sin and turning to God. [This does not mean a sinner must first conquer every sin or reform his life before Christ will save him. It means he stops defending his rebellion and turns toward God for mercy through Jesus Christ.] Paul described it to the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). That’s repentance in action, not just regret but a total shift in loyalty. [The changed allegiance is the fruit and evidence of genuine conversion, not a work that earns salvation.]

Repentance and faith are not two steps. They are two sides of the same coin. [This is an illustration, not the exact wording of Scripture. Repentance and faith are distinct but inseparable in conversion. Paul preached “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” in Acts 20:21.] To truly believe in Jesus is to turn from sin. To truly repent is to put your trust in Him. [I do not mean repentance and faith are identical. Repentance is toward God, and faith rests in Jesus Christ. Neither is a meritorious work by which salvation is earned.] Peter’s sermon on Pentecost made this abundantly clear: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). [Baptism is commanded as the believer’s public identification with Christ, but baptism does not earn forgiveness or save by human works. Scripture also plainly says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” in Acts 16:31.] Faith without repentance is a hollow life and repentance without faith is a life of despair. Together they make up the biblical response to the gospel. [Salvation itself is entirely by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by repentance treated as a work, moral achievement, or payment.]

But repentance is not just words. It is something we should see manifested in a changed life. [The changed life does not cause salvation. It is the result and evidence of God’s saving work.] John the Baptist told his hearers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). The crowd asked, “What then should we do?” And his answer was startlingly practical: share with those in need, stop robbing people, be satisfied with what you have (Luke 3:10–14). Repentance is not merely an inward feeling. It results in outward change. [The outward works are fruit worthy of repentance. They are not the ground of justification before God.] Paul puts it this way: “Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20). [Notice the order. They were to repent, turn to God, and then do works appropriate to repentance. The works follow repentance. They do not purchase salvation.]

In my observation, this is where most modern preaching is lacking. People are told over and over that belief in Jesus doesn’t mean anything has to change, and yet Jesus never preached such a message. [I am not saying a sinner must change himself before coming to Christ. I am saying that when Christ truly saves a person, that salvation does not leave him permanently unchanged or content in rebellion.] In fact, He was crystal clear that this is not the way of salvation: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The call of the gospel is not just to add Jesus to your life. It is to turn your life over to Him. [By this I mean that Jesus is not merely an addition to an unchanged life of unbelief and rebellion. I do not mean that a sinner must first attain perfect surrender, obedience, or moral reform before Christ will receive him. We come to Christ as guilty sinners, trusting entirely in His mercy and finished work.] It is to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow after Him (Luke 9:23). [Discipleship and obedience are the necessary fruit of belonging to Christ, not the price paid to obtain justification.]

And here’s the good news: repentance itself is a gift from God. [Scripture says that God grants “repentance unto life” in Acts 11:18 and may “give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” in 2 Timothy 2:25.] In Romans 2: 4, Paul says, “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God does not expect us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. [We do not make ourselves worthy and then come to Christ. We come guilty and helpless, trusting Him to save.] He works in us to produce true repentance that leads to life. That’s why 2 Peter 3: 9 says He is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

True repentance changes lives. It’s not just a one-time event at the moment of salvation, though it does begin there. It should also be a way of life as we continually confess our sins and walk in obedience to Christ (1 John 1:9). [The believer does not repeatedly get saved again. Rather, those who belong to Christ continue confessing and turning from sins as God’s Word exposes them. Jesus commanded churches to repent in Revelation 2:5 and Revelation 3:19.] Genuine repentance is marked by a changed direction, new desires, and a new life that produces fruit for God’s glory. [This does not mean instant perfection. Believers still stumble and require correction, but they cannot make peace with sin as though it no longer matters.]

So here’s the question: have you repented? Have you turned from sin to God in Jesus Christ? [This means recognizing your guilt, abandoning every claim to save yourself, and turning to God for mercy through Jesus Christ. It does not mean making yourself sinless before coming.] This is not about adding religion to your life. It’s about turning from death to life. Jesus is calling you to repent and believe the gospel. This is the only way to be saved. [More precisely, Jesus Christ alone is the way of salvation. God commands sinners to repent toward Him and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by grace through faith, apart from works. Repentance does not earn salvation. It accompanies genuine faith in Christ.]

---

The following Call to Repentance sermon says we must repent to be saved. [This means repentance is a necessary part of the biblical gospel call, not that repentance is a human work that merits salvation.] It uses Scriptures to show the necessity of repentance from sin and repentance to God. [Repentance from sin does not mean achieving sinless perfection before salvation. It means turning away from the defense and love of sin and turning toward God for mercy.] It's a call for the church to preach repentance simply, as Christ and the apostles did. It's also a call to every saint to regard repentance both personally and in the preaching of the true gospel.

Listen to more on this subject: The Call to Repentance

 

[mailmandan]

The missing word in today’s Gospel is repentance. When was the last time you heard someone preach repentance? If you had to guess, it’s been a long time for most of us. But flip open the Bible and you’ll find the word on every page. [By this I mean that the call to repentance is found throughout Scripture, not that the literal word appears on every individual page.] John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus began His earthly ministry with nothing other than these words (Matthew 4:17). The apostles preached it, the early church lived it, and heaven itself exults when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). Repentance is not some minor theme of the Bible. It is at the very center of the gospel. [Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection are the heart and content of the gospel. Repentance is central to the biblical call and response to that gospel. I am not saying repentance replaces Christ or His finished work.]

So what does repentance really mean? The New Testament word for repent, metanoia, refers to a change of mind that results in a change of direction. [More precisely, metanoia is the noun translated “repentance,” while metanoeō is the verb translated “repent.” The words involve a change of mind, but the full biblical meaning is seen in the context of turning toward God.] It’s not just feeling bad about your sin. It’s turning from sin and turning to God. [This does not mean a sinner must first conquer every sin or reform his life before Christ will save him. It means he stops defending his rebellion and turns toward God for mercy through Jesus Christ.] Paul described it to the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). That’s repentance in action, not just regret but a total shift in loyalty. [The changed allegiance is the fruit and evidence of genuine conversion, not a work that earns salvation.]

Repentance and faith are not two steps. They are two sides of the same coin. [This is an illustration, not the exact wording of Scripture. Repentance and faith are distinct but inseparable in conversion. Paul preached “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” in Acts 20:21.] To truly believe in Jesus is to turn from sin. To truly repent is to put your trust in Him. [I do not mean repentance and faith are identical. Repentance is toward God, and faith rests in Jesus Christ. Neither is a meritorious work by which salvation is earned.] Peter’s sermon on Pentecost made this abundantly clear: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). [Baptism is commanded as the believer’s public identification with Christ, but baptism does not earn forgiveness or save by human works. Scripture also plainly says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” in Acts 16:31.] Faith without repentance is a hollow life and repentance without faith is a life of despair. Together they make up the biblical response to the gospel. [Salvation itself is entirely by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by repentance treated as a work, moral achievement, or payment.]

But repentance is not just words. It is something we should see manifested in a changed life. [The changed life does not cause salvation. It is the result and evidence of God’s saving work.] John the Baptist told his hearers to “bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). The crowd asked, “What then should we do?” And his answer was startlingly practical: share with those in need, stop robbing people, be satisfied with what you have (Luke 3:10–14). Repentance is not merely an inward feeling. It results in outward change. [The outward works are fruit worthy of repentance. They are not the ground of justification before God.] Paul puts it this way: “Repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20). [Notice the order. They were to repent, turn to God, and then do works appropriate to repentance. The works follow repentance. They do not purchase salvation.]

In my observation, this is where most modern preaching is lacking. People are told over and over that belief in Jesus doesn’t mean anything has to change, and yet Jesus never preached such a message. [I am not saying a sinner must change himself before coming to Christ. I am saying that when Christ truly saves a person, that salvation does not leave him permanently unchanged or content in rebellion.] In fact, He was crystal clear that this is not the way of salvation: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The call of the gospel is not just to add Jesus to your life. It is to turn your life over to Him. [By this I mean that Jesus is not merely an addition to an unchanged life of unbelief and rebellion. I do not mean that a sinner must first attain perfect surrender, obedience, or moral reform before Christ will receive him. We come to Christ as guilty sinners, trusting entirely in His mercy and finished work.] It is to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow after Him (Luke 9:23). [Discipleship and obedience are the necessary fruit of belonging to Christ, not the price paid to obtain justification.]

And here’s the good news: repentance itself is a gift from God. [Scripture says that God grants “repentance unto life” in Acts 11:18 and may “give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” in 2 Timothy 2:25.] In Romans 2: 4, Paul says, “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” God does not expect us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. [We do not make ourselves worthy and then come to Christ. We come guilty and helpless, trusting Him to save.] He works in us to produce true repentance that leads to life. That’s why 2 Peter 3: 9 says He is patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

True repentance changes lives. It’s not just a one-time event at the moment of salvation, though it does begin there. It should also be a way of life as we continually confess our sins and walk in obedience to Christ (1 John 1:9). [The believer does not repeatedly get saved again. Rather, those who belong to Christ continue confessing and turning from sins as God’s Word exposes them. Jesus commanded churches to repent in Revelation 2:5 and Revelation 3:19.] Genuine repentance is marked by a changed direction, new desires, and a new life that produces fruit for God’s glory. [This does not mean instant perfection. Believers still stumble and require correction, but they cannot make peace with sin as though it no longer matters.]

So here’s the question: have you repented? Have you turned from sin to God in Jesus Christ? [This means recognizing your guilt, abandoning every claim to save yourself, and turning to God for mercy through Jesus Christ. It does not mean making yourself sinless before coming.] This is not about adding religion to your life. It’s about turning from death to life. Jesus is calling you to repent and believe the gospel. This is the only way to be saved. [More precisely, Jesus Christ alone is the way of salvation. God commands sinners to repent toward Him and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by grace through faith, apart from works. Repentance does not earn salvation. It accompanies genuine faith in Christ.]

---

The following Call to Repentance sermon says we must repent to be saved. [This means repentance is a necessary part of the biblical gospel call, not that repentance is a human work that merits salvation.] It uses Scriptures to show the necessity of repentance from sin and repentance to God. [Repentance from sin does not mean achieving sinless perfection before salvation. It means turning away from the defense and love of sin and turning toward God for mercy.] It's a call for the church to preach repentance simply, as Christ and the apostles did. It's also a call to every saint to regard repentance both personally and in the preaching of the true gospel.

Listen to more on this subject: The Call to Repentance

Amen! The Greek word for "repent" is "metanoia" (noun) and "matanoeo" (verb) you see as defined in the Strongs #3340, 3341: to think differently or afterwards, reconsider. After thought, change of mind. Repentance basically means a "change of mind" and the context must determine what is involved in this change of mind. Where salvation is in view, repentance actually precedes saving faith in Christ and is not a totally separate act from faith. It is actually the same coin with two sides. Repentance is on one side (what you change your mind about) and faith in Christ is on the positive side, (the new direction of this change of mind). Repentance and faith are two sides of the same experience of receiving Christ. Acts 20:21 - testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the context of Luke 13:3, Jesus challenged the people's notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent or perish. For some people though, prior to coming to the end result of repentance in receiving salvation (faith in Christ), they must change their minds about other specific things in order to get there. Repentance, metanoia, focuses on changing one's mind about his previous concept of God (as in Acts 17:30) and disbelief in God or false beliefs (polytheism and idolatry) about God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). On the other hand, this change of mind, focuses on the new direction that change about God must ultimately take, namely, trusting in Jesus Christ by faith as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions. Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." This is the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8) and not the essence of repentance (change of mind). Certain people confuse the "fruit of repentance" with the "essence of repentance" (and also do the same thing with faith) and end up teaching salvation by works. For such people, repentance is placed after faith and is redefined as moral self-reformation/behavior modification.

 

[bobinfaith]

To truly repent is to put your trust in Him.

So here’s the question: have you repented? Have you turned from sin to God in Jesus Christ? [This means recognizing your guilt, abandoning every claim to save yourself, and turning to God for mercy through Jesus Christ. It does not mean making yourself sinless before coming.] This is not about adding religion to your life. It’s about turning from death to life. Jesus is calling you to repent and believe the gospel. This is the only way to be saved. [More precisely, Jesus Christ alone is the way of salvation. God commands sinners to repent toward Him and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation is by grace through faith, apart from works. Repentance does not earn salvation. It accompanies genuine faith in Christ.]

In the context of Luke 13:3, Jesus challenged the people's notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent or perish. The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions. Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." This is the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8)

Good morning,

In the first box I blue-lighted an important statement. Truthfully, many of us don't, or haven't put our trust in God after confessing our sin to Him. We walk away feeling God hasn't forgiven us so we still carry this cloud of conviction, or deep guilt of wrongdoing against God.

We need to distinguish between repentance; turning from our sin(s) back to God, versus confessing our sin for day. Have we truly repented?

In the second box, "have you repented?" should give us all much to think about. How do we answer that?

In the third box, (personal sidenote) someone once posted it bothers them when a poster includes everyone - we, us, instead of speaking for oneself. I disagree because when we are in a discussion such as Repentance: I feel this is important and should include everyone as a body as we should also be praying for each person.

"Have you repented?" It takes prayer and studying the Bible because throughout God's entire Word He teaches about turning from our sins and returning back to Him.

2 Chronicles 7:14, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. - NKJV

This is a good topic.

David, I'm looking forward to studying New on BTF: Our In-Depth Bible Study on Prayer Has Begun
and have a question. How many subjects do we have since it started? I want to be able to go right to it so I can point to Hazel.

God bless everyone.

Bob

 

[David]

Amen! The Greek word for "repent" is "metanoia" (noun) and "matanoeo" (verb) you see as defined in the Strongs #3340, 3341: to think differently or afterwards, reconsider. After thought, change of mind. Repentance basically means a "change of mind" and the context must determine what is involved in this change of mind. Where salvation is in view, repentance actually precedes saving faith in Christ and is not a totally separate act from faith. It is actually the same coin with two sides. Repentance is on one side (what you change your mind about) and faith in Christ is on the positive side, (the new direction of this change of mind). Repentance and faith are two sides of the same experience of receiving Christ. Acts 20:21 - testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the context of Luke 13:3, Jesus challenged the people's notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent or perish. For some people though, prior to coming to the end result of repentance in receiving salvation (faith in Christ), they must change their minds about other specific things in order to get there. Repentance, metanoia, focuses on changing one's mind about his previous concept of God (as in Acts 17:30) and disbelief in God or false beliefs (polytheism and idolatry) about God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). On the other hand, this change of mind, focuses on the new direction that change about God must ultimately take, namely, trusting in Jesus Christ by faith as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions. Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." This is the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8) and not the essence of repentance (change of mind). Certain people confuse the "fruit of repentance" with the "essence of repentance" (and also do the same thing with faith) and end up teaching salvation by works. For such people, repentance is placed after faith and is redefined as moral self-reformation/behavior modification.

I think we are saying much the same thing here. I especially appreciate your distinction between repentance itself and the fruit that follows it. That is important, because those changed actions do not earn salvation, but genuine repentance will not leave a person unchanged.

Good thoughts, and I appreciate you adding to the discussion.

 

[David]

Good morning,

In the first box I blue-lighted an important statement. Truthfully, many of us don't, or haven't put our trust in God after confessing our sin to Him. We walk away feeling God hasn't forgiven us so we still carry this cloud of conviction, or deep guilt of wrongdoing against God.

We need to distinguish between repentance; turning from our sin(s) back to God, versus confessing our sin for day. Have we truly repented?

In the second box, "have you repented?" should give us all much to think about. How do we answer that?

In the third box, (personal sidenote) someone once posted it bothers them when a poster includes everyone - we, us, instead of speaking for oneself. I disagree because when we are in a discussion such as Repentance: I feel this is important and should include everyone as a body as we should also be praying for each person.

"Have you repented?" It takes prayer and studying the Bible because throughout God's entire Word He teaches about turning from our sins and returning back to Him.

2 Chronicles 7:14, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. - NKJV

This is a good topic.

David, I'm looking forward to studying New on BTF: Our In-Depth Bible Study on Prayer Has Begun
and have a question. How many subjects do we have since it started? I want to be able to go right to it so I can point to Hazel.

God bless everyone.

Bob

Good thoughts, Bob. I agree that there is an important difference between simply admitting our sin and actually turning from it toward God. We can confess something with our mouth and still resist what God is showing us. Genuine repentance goes further than just admitting we were wrong.

I also like what you said about carrying guilt after confessing sin. First John 1:9 gives us something solid to stand on: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” At that point we have to trust what God has said rather than continue punishing ourselves for something He has forgiven.

And on the Prayer Bible Study, we have two studies posted so far. The first is “Why Pray If God Already Knows What We Need?” and the second is “Does God Answer Every Prayer?” We are just getting started, so Hazel can begin with the first one and work right through them in order.

We are planning around 20 or more studies. Some of the subjects coming up will deal with how to pray, what hinders prayer, praying according to God’s will, persistence in prayer, Jesus’ teaching on prayer, the prayers of the apostles, and some of the great prayers recorded throughout Scripture.

Glad you are following along with these, Bob. I think there is a lot more for all of us to learn as we keep digging into what Scripture actually says about prayer.

 

[bobinfaith]

Good thoughts, Bob. I agree that there is an important difference between simply admitting our sin and actually turning from it toward God. We can confess something with our mouth and still resist what God is showing us. Genuine repentance goes further than just admitting we were wrong.

I also like what you said about carrying guilt after confessing sin. First John 1:9 gives us something solid to stand on: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” At that point we have to trust what God has said rather than continue punishing ourselves for something He has forgiven.

And on the Prayer Bible Study, we have two studies posted so far. The first is “Why Pray If God Already Knows What We Need?” and the second is “Does God Answer Every Prayer?” We are just getting started, so Hazel can begin with the first one and work right through them in order.

We are planning around 20 or more studies. Some of the subjects coming up will deal with how to pray, what hinders prayer, praying according to God’s will, persistence in prayer, Jesus’ teaching on prayer, the prayers of the apostles, and some of the great prayers recorded throughout Scripture.

Glad you are following along with these, Bob. I think there is a lot more for all of us to learn as we keep digging into what Scripture actually says about prayer.

Good morning, David;

Thank you, brother.

Bob