Repentance. It means turning away from everything that is not like God: every sin, -ism, and schism that does not reflect the Person of Jesus Christ our Savior. If we trust and believe that He is God and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), then we must repent.
Jesus began His ministry with a call to repentance (Matthew 4:17) and later rebuked the unrepentant cities where most of His works had been performed (Matthew 11:20). He then told the parable of the loss sheep to emphasize the rejoicing over one repentant sinner (Luke 15:1-7). Peter called for repentance after he delivered his sermon (Acts 2:38, 39) and healed a lame man (Acts 3:19).
The Bible teaches about the relationship between God’s sovereignty and repentance (Acts 17:24-31; Numbers 23:19) and gives numerous life examples:
- King David (2 Samuel 11-12, 24; Psalm 51)
- Paul (Acts 8:3; 9:1-22; 26:9-29; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-6; 11:22-28)
- The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
- The Thief on the Cross (Matthew 27:38-44; Luke 23:39-43)
It is a change of heart for those who believe (Romans 1:16-17; 2:4; 6:14; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:15-21; Titus 2:11-14). But we cannot do it alone (Isaiah 64:6, 8; Romans 3:10; Philippians 2:5-13), nor are we required to. God offers help for repentant sinners, and we would do well to take it, in patient continuance, believing John 14:26, Philippians 1:6, and others:
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Hebrews 12:11
- 2 Peter 3:9
- 1 John 1:9