“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news” Mark 1:15 (CSB)
What is the first word of the Gospel?
According to Mark 1:15 and the first word of the gospel is to “Repent” the second word of the Gospel is the “Believe”
The message John the Baptist gave to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus was REPENTANCE. (Matthew 3: 1-8)
The first message that Jesus proclaimed as a prerequisite for entering the Kingdom was REPENTANCE. (Matthew 4:17)
The message that the disciples carried wherever they went was the message of REPENTANCE. (Mark 6: 7-13)
The call that went out on the first sermon after the outpouring of the Spirit was of REPENTANCE. (Acts 2: 38, 39)
Paul began his preaching with the message of REPENTANCE. (Acts 20: 20, 21)
Repentance is the first step in the believer’s life. God commands it. If this foundation is not properly laid, the whole structure will be shaky, unable to stand the tests and trails that come. (Luke 6: 46-49). The Psalmist declares, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”(Psalm 11: 3) We must firmly lay this “foundation of repentance from dead works” if we are to be strong (Hebrews 6: 1-2).
What does it mean for a person to “Repent”?
The word “repent” means to change one’s mind, though, purpose or views regarding a matter. It refers to a change in heart or attitude which results in a new direction for the whole life.
Charles Finney defined repentance as an “intellectual and a hearty giving up of all controversy with God upon all and every point. It implies a conviction that God is wholly right, and the sinner is wholly wrong, and a thorough and hearty abandonment of all excuses and apologies for sin.”
Why is repentance necessary for man?
Because the Fall of Adam, the first man, into sin there is an inborn desire in the mind of man to go his own way and rebel against the right ways of God (Ephesians 2:3; Colossians 1:21).
a. There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12 CSB).
b. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6 CSB).
Because every individual has erred from the right ways of God by virtue of his own decisions if life (Romans 7: 18-25).
a. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Because in himself man does not have the power to live a life that is pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6).
What are some of the wrong concepts about repentance?
There are many concepts that have been confused with true repentance. The tragedy is that if we accept any one of these false concepts it will keep us from experiencing genuine repentance.
True Repentance is Not:
Conviction of Sin. Conviction of sin will always precede genuine repentance, but not all who are convicted will truly repent. (Acts 24:24,25)
Worldly Sorrow. Worldly sorrow is simply being sorry for “getting caught”, but not being sorry for the actual sin. Given the same set of circumstances this person would probably repeat the same sin. (II Corinthians 7:10)
Mere Reformation. Reformation in this sense is simply trying to “turn over a new leaf” in the strength of the natural man. This will never be successful without a genuine heart change. (Hebrews 6:11)
Being Religious. The Pharisees in Christ’s day were very religious but they were hypocrites. It is possible to maintain a form of religion but never experience the genuine power of repentance. (II Timothy 3:5)
Mental Faith or “only believism”. Mental faith is merely the mental acceptance and assent to a set of creeds or doctrine, but without any real change of heart and life. (James 2:19, 20)
Oswald Chambers, Scottish minister, writes that repentance “describes that deep and radical change whereby a sinner turns from the idols of self and sin to God, and devotes every movement of inner and outer man to the captivity of His obedience.
What are the fruits of genuine repentance?
If genuine repentance has taken place on the inside of man there will be outward signs, or fruits, of this inward work. Although no one can judge the heart of another, there should be external evidence that the heart has been truly changed. John the Baptist did not merely accept the Pharisee’s confession that they desired a baptism unto repentance; he challenged them to also “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance (Matthew 3:8).
If genuine repentance has taken place, it should be evidenced by the following:
A godly sorrow for sin (II Corinthians 7:9-11).
A confession of sin and a plea for mercy (I John 1:9; Luke 15:21; Luke 18:13, 14).
A turning from, or forsaking, of sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13; Acts 19:17-20).
A godly hatred for sin (Ezekiel 36:31-33).
A turning unto the ways of righteousness (I Thessalonians 1:9; Colossians 3:1-14).
A restitution for the wrongs done, wherever possible (Leviticus 6:1-7; Luke 19:8).
Without these fruits being manifest, there is no genuine Bible repentance.
Conclusion
Repentance is something that is absolutely necessary if we are to be founded on the Rock, Christ Jesus. It begins as a one-time experience when we accept the Lordship of Christ in our life, but it continues to be important in the process of sanctification as the Holy Spirit is faithful to point out many other areas that are in need of change. Every believer needs to be prepared to respond in repentance as often as there is a need for it. In this way we will progress daily in our Christian walk toward God’s ultimate will for our lives.