The word “repent” is a misunderstood one I think. It has a mad, negative connotation toward it. It’s a word that belongs on the sandwich board of the crazy guy on the street corner who threatens the vengeance of God. But like so many commonly used church words, this one has been hijacked by our Christian culture, and its meaning has been infused with inaccuracies.
Nevertheless, it’s an important word – one that the prophets of old and the apostles of new called out to would be followers of the God of Israel and His Son Jesus. It’s important, then, for us to know what the word means. Because whether we want to admit it or not, when we are trying to follow Jesus, we will find ourselves repenting over and over again. I’d propose, then, that we have at least three common misunderstandings about it means to repent:
1. Repentance means stopping.
It actually doesn’t. Of course, there’s some stopping involved, but to repent means to turn. Turning is different than stopping. It’s bigger than stopping. You can stop and still be facing the same direction, sitting motionless. But repenting isn’t just about stopping. It’s not enough to stop. Repentance is about turning, choosing something better than the action you’re doing. It’s about choosing life with Christ over life with anything else. So repentance isn’t about stopping what you’re doing; it’s about valuing Jesus more than what you’re doing. That’s why we turn; not just because old ways are self-destructive, wrong, or immoral; repentance is about how much we value Christ. And how much we believe He’s better than anything else.
2. Repentance is a message of judgment.
It is, of course, some about judgment. This was the focus of many of John the Baptist’s recorded sermons: “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance” (Matt. 3:7-8). But if repenting is not just stopping but turning, and if the message of repentance is about ultimately choosing to turn to that which is ultimately satisfying and joyful, then this is nothing less than a message of great love.
When God calls us to repent, He doesn’t do so as a cosmic killjoy; He does so as a Father discontent in His love for His people to see them piddling around with the temporal pleasures of the world. He has something better for us, and in His love, He calls us to turn. That’s why it’s not anger in the voice of God that says “Repent.” It’s love. It’s a voice that says, “You are settling. Don’t you want something better?”
3. Repentance is about willpower.
Like the first two things, repentance is a bit about willpower, but we are mistaken if we think that the willpower is the driving force behind it. It’s not. And thank God it’s not, or we would never truly repent for our willpower is embarrassingly and pitifully weak.
Repentance is about faith. That’s important to note because rarely, if ever, do we feel like repenting. We don’t; we feel like sinning. But in the midst of the temporary pleasure of sin, there is the kernel of faith inside us that chooses to believe that even though we don’t feel it in the moment, life and fellowship with Jesus is better than this.
In faith, then, we turn, painful though the turning may be. And having turned, and then having begun walking in the opposite direction, we find that the feelings do indeed follow.
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This post originally appeared at thinke.org.
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I cant believe (well i can but not really) that i came across this post. Another example of what i am surely uncomfortable with. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, gets me thinking and saying things that dont come from my brain, but from my inner being, through my brain amd then sometimes out of my mouth. REPENTANCE. Someone said to me: we must repent from lying and pray to stop doing it. Without much thought on my behalf, i saw a different view of repentance that i havent before. It sounded like this as it passed my brain (lol) “Repentance does not mean you will stop sinning”. Then, everything i ever read or heard about repentance just rolled like thunder inside of me like flasbacks.
Repentance means to turn away from something, or to change your mind. Repentance is the product of godly sorrow (as it is written) godly sorrow leads to repentance. To physically turn from your sin and look back to Jesus. You are not going to stop sinning, but choosing to turn from it and back to Jesus for forgiveness and comfort. By faith we know that he is waiting there, as himself, love, forgiveness, compassion comfort, strength and home. He will never turn away the broken hearted or crushed in spirit. As it is written; he is close to them specifically.
When this happen to me, i like to summarise what i just learnt by using an analogy, or (i laugh when i say this) a parable. I used the relationship between earthly parents and their wayward child or children. I wrote this to my friend:
Do you know why i fear not?(well, most of the time) its because my beginning was before i was, he knew when my birth day would be, where it would be. He knows how many hairs i have on my head, he knows when i sit and when i stand. He knows all my ways. He also knows my ending, and the road i will travel to get there. All my sins???, he even had a plan for them even before i sinned for the first time. Nothing is hidden from him. We will always sin until we die, but he urges us to repent, even if you must do it daily, not because you will stop sinning, but BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS TURNED BACK TO HIM. Repent means to turn completely away from your sins and to ask for forgiveness so you are always aware and not blinded with deceit and callousness of the heart. It doesnt mean to repent you will stop sinning. Thats impossible, and unbiblical.
Think of your daughter, if she did something against your will for her constantly, by her always confessing and feeling genuine sorrow, you will forgive her over and over again. You see her heart her pain, her struggle, not her mess. Her transgression or sins may hurt her in the end but she will still have a loving strong relationship with her father. Even more than the obedient good child, But On the contrary, if your child hid her trangreesion and sinful ways, she may start to despise you, and harden her heart, even disconnect it from you. She will bring you pain, and guilt, though you reach out to help but to no avail. Then you start to regret ever having that child. Deep inside the love is in you for her, and willing to accept her if she ever returns to you, but you no longer recognise her and let her go. The father didnt move or change, just like God doesnt. We are his children, his offspring. Only against him we sin. Only he forgives. Only we are sorry. Repent, everyday, He is Love. Perfect in everyway, as his children do not run and hide in fear, because there is no fear in perfect love. If you fear, then you dont know him. (The end)
The next day i wasnt sure if this was Gods Spirit that spoke in me, i start to doubt myself (as usual) and ask for confirmation… and what i wanted to say from all of that is, you are my sign of confirmation. I always doubt its him because of who i am, but inside i am reassured almost immediately. This is a regular thing God and I have. But who am i? Well who cares, he is The Great I Am.
I hope i made sense and i didnt bore you with too many words. I hope you may respond as im not sure why or what i should do with this blessing, or im just being foolisg, but if not, thats ok too.
THANKS…
Kristin