Topic(s): Bible Authority, God's Will, Christian Living

Bob Prichard

Repentance has been called “God's hardest command.” Real repentance is often difficult, because there are so many things, such as “conviction,” “fear,” or “being sorry,” that people confuse with or substitute for real Biblical repentance. Some think that mere conviction, or awareness of sin, is repentance. While we must be aware of our sin and need for repentance, real repentance demands so much more. Repentance is also not merely being afraid of the consequences of sin. James writes that the demons “believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). Fear of consequences of sin should urge one on to repentance, but it cannot take the place of repentance.

Another substitute for repentance is simply being sorry for sin. Many men and women in jail are sorry they were caught in their crimes, but have not repented. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul writes that “godly sorrow worketh repentance.” Sorrow is important in bringing us to repentance, but it alone is not repentance. Even a reformed life, though important, is not repentance, but is the fruit, or result of repentance.

What then is repentance? It is a change of the will, or mind, and a surrender of the will, or mind. It is a change of the will or mind in reference to sin against Almighty God. When we sin, we sin against God. When we repent, we decide that we will surrender our wills, or minds to the Lord. It is no longer our will that is important, but the will of Christ. We have given Him control of our lives. Because we are sorry that we have sinned against Him, our lives will reflect our repentance. For example, the thief who repents will cease stealing, and will do all that he can to make up for what he as stolen, as the tax collector Zacchaeus did after the Lord forgave him (Luke 19:2-10). “Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). In like manner, the person living in adultery will cease committing adultery, if there is a real desire to please God and repent.

God has always desired and demanded that His people practice repentance when they sin against Him. John the Baptizer, Jesus, and His disciples all preached the necessity of repentance. Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Paul's statement before the men of Athens shows clearly the necessity of repentance: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). It is just not possible to be pleasing to God or to live the pure Christian life without repentance! One must have a change of the will—a surrender of the will to God. This surrender must be the kind of surrender that calls for a reformed life, one that puts away sin, and is dedicated to serving God in every area of life. If you have not repented of your sins, obey Peter's Pentecost command: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).