Repentance: The Starting Point
As Christians, the Word of God is our sole authority for faith and practice. Truth and meaning is defined by the Word of God and not by the world’s self proclaimed “politically correct.” The Bible is the standard for truth… it is a “dictionary” defining its own terms. “Repentance” is a Biblical term and must be understood according to its biblical definition. This word is from the Greek word “metanoia” derived from “meta” meaning change and “noia” meaning mind. Literally repentance means to “change your mind.” This word implies to turn from the desires of the carnal mind that we inherited from Adam and to turn to the desires of the spiritual mind that we inherited from Christ when we were born again. The battlefield is in the mind. There are two types of repentance. Repentance unto salvation is the first step in turning to God in order to receive the new birth. This type of repentance happens when we are born again. The second type of repentance is returning to God when we have been born again but have fallen from fellowship. This type of repentance in our daily walk allows us to turn from our sinful nature and unto fellowship and communion with God and with his son Jesus Christ. When we who have been born again, break our fellowship with God, the verse in 1 John 1:9 applies so that we can repent, turn around, and return back to him: if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness..
Most people will not listen when they hear the word repentance. They think that “repent” means to judge another person or themselves for doing wrong. They will not mention the politically incorrect word “sin” because sin is contrary to the politically correct definition of “tolerance.” According to John 3:19-20: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
The next verse applies for those who have been born again: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Is repentance a gift or an obligation for us to act? The answer is found in Numbers 21 which provides an extended metaphor for repentance. After waking up and conquering the land, God commanded Israel not to allow the enemy to inhabit the land. If Israel did not drive out the Canaanites, their influence would contaminate God’s chosen people. God commanded Israel to repent by obeying and turning their hearts away from the world’s influences and toward God. God had led Israel out of the land of Egypt and had sustained them with manna in the wilderness. However, this generation of the children of Israel hardened their hearts against God and against Moses saying, “why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” Israel believed the devil’s lies that the comforts of Egypt were better than the comfort of God’s provision. Because they confessed the unthankfulness of their hearts by grumbling and complaining, they walked outside of God’s protection and allowed the venomous snakes to attack. When the children of Israel were bitten by the snakes, they cried to Moses for God to deliver them. Moses acted according to God’s plan to deliver the children of Israel. He lifted up a bronze snake so they could look unto it and live. The people’s unbelieving brought the venomous snakes into the land. Although God had given them miraculous provisions, they were unthankful and complained. Their unthankful hearts drove them away from God’s hand of protection and many died when they were bitten. When the people acknowledged that they had sinned, this was the point of their repentance. They had to have the desire to turn from their sin to receive God’s deliverance. Their act of repentance was to turn from looking affectionately for the things of this world and instead, looking affectionately unto God and the power of God’s deliverance represented by the bronze snake. Their repentance allowed God to to deliver them from the biting serpents. The purpose of the bronze snake was to make God’s deliverance a public spectacle. God does not work in darkness and obscurity. God always works openly and in the light of his manifest glory.
In John 3:14 Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about the unseen things hidden in darkness that affect us. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up that whosoever believeth upon him should not perish. God always provides a way of repentance for redemption of his people. Colossians 2:14 says, Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.
As Lot was fleeing Sodom and his wife turned around and “beheld” or cherished and considered fondly the city of Sodom, she turned into a pillar of salt. “Beheld” is the same word used in Numbers about the children of Israel who “looked cherishingly” upon the bronze serpent. We must “gaze lovingly and cherishingly” at the cross of Christ for the supreme sacrifice that was paid there. Sin was made a public spectacle upon the altar of the cross. Without the cross of Christ there is no victory over sin. Repentance is to turn from sin and toward the grace of God through the supreme sacrifice of the innocent blood of his son Jesus Christ.
Judgement always starts with the prophets warning the people. Then it spreads to the priests who speak to God on behalf of the people. If the people do not listen to the voices of the prophets and the priests and do not repent, then God’s righteous judgement will follow. Repentance according to the Word is to turn away from sin and toward God, followed by penitence, restitution and obedience.
Part of repentance is to make restitution which means to “come clean.” Cleanse my heart O Lord, create in me a new heart. God will redeem us as we follow his heart through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Repentance becomes real when we seek to do his will from a cleansed and a pure heart of his righteousness. Restitution is to make it right with the two parties you have wronged, both man and God. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Repentance is the key to unlocking the healing and deliverance of God in our lives. How do we make restitution to God for the sins we have committed against him? The answer is in Romans 12:1. I beseech ye therefore brethren that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto him which is your reasonable and sanctified service. To make restitution to the people you have wronged, seek them out and ask them forgiveness… ask them how you can make it right. Repentance is to humble our hearts before the Lord, to turn from our wicked ways, to pray, and to seek his face. Then will he cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness and we can walk in fellowship and communion (co-union) with him.
Repentance is to turn away from the world and unto Him…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in his wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his wonder and grace.
May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael