Repentance (Part 2)

Dictionaries usually define “repentance” as a feeling of regret or remorse for something wrong one has done. That is not repentance according to the Scripture. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Lord Jesus, “repented himself” and then hanged himself (Matt 27:3-6). In Greek, Judas’ “repentance” only means “regret,” which is different from “repentance” that the Lord Jesus and His apostle preached, denoting “a change of mind,” turning to the Lord from sins, selfishness, idolatry, and anything displeasing Him

An illustration of “repentance” is the attitude of the son when his father sent him to work in his vineyard, “He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went” (Matt 21:28-31). That son changed his mind from disobedience to obedience to his father. Another illustration is the repentance of the believers in Thessalonica, who “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess 1:9).

Many think that they have repented and believed in the Lord, but there is no change in their lives, having no fear of the Lord, and still living in sins and following the world! True faith must show a true repentant attitude, turning to the Lord from one’s sinful life, “go, and sin no more” (John 8:11) and “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Tim 2:19).

Biblical repentance is “a change of mind” toward God, toward oneself, and toward sins: from disobedience to obedience to God; from rebellion to submission to God; from unbelief to faith in God; from self-love, self-promotion, self-importance, self-centredness, or self-glory to God’s glory, God-centredness, God-promotion, and love toward God; from a love of sin and self to an abhorrence of sin and self-denial.

Then, have you and I repented according to the Scripture? Please read our next article.