Repentance is a starting point in our relationship with God. Without repentance, we are cut-off from God. The Bible says, (Isa 59:1-2) Don’t think that the LORD is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help! It is because of your sins that he doesn’t hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him.
Even John the Baptist preach the repentance of sins. (Mat 3:1-2) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
God wants us all to repent and become His children (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (John 1:12) But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name.
And for this to happen, God in all His great mercy begins leading us to repentance. (Romans 2:4) Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
Notice what told his listeners during the Pentecost, (Act 2:36-38) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. And hearing this, they were stabbed in the heart, and said to Peter and to the other apostles, Men, brothers, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
What is repentance? Dictionary defined repentance as turning away from a past course of action. It is also a changing of mind for the better, and complete turning from sin.
In the Bible, repentance is a profound realization of our sins and resulting in sorrow that leads us to change our thoughts and actions. (2Co 7:10) For the grief according to God works repentance to salvation, not to be regretted, but the grief of the world works out death. When we realize how selfish, sinful and very far from God we are, this puts our hope in Him. It leads to a deep, life-changing commitment.
Therefore, repentance is an act of change. It is when we turn away from our old selfish way of life to serve God and make Him as the center of our lives. Repentance unites us with God in a very special relationship.
From here, we should know that to repent is a will of God because we cannot come to Him unless God draws us to Him. We cannot do it on our own. God is the one who will give us repentance. The desire to repent and the choice to repent must come from God. (Php 2:13) For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
But God doesn’t want forced repentance. Although He desires every one to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), He wanted us to realize how we really need to repent. He wants us to make the choice on our own. It is still us who will decide.
A person who repent truly realize that God is active in their lives. God urges them to change so that they can please Him more. This causes the repentant to study more about God’s will and commands. And to be able to do this, more studies of the Scriptures are needed.
If we recognize our sins and admit that we are doing them, then we are doing the first big step of repentance. We should confess these sins to God and admit that we are a sinner. (1Jn 1:9-10) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
