When the Lord said to repent
Repentance: deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.
When Jesus began His public ministry, one of His first messages was simple and direct: “Repent.”
Biblical repentance involves more than simply feeling sorry about something we have done. It means recognizing our sin, agreeing with God about it, and turning from it toward Him. Genuine repentance produces a change of heart that leads to a change of direction.
We don’t repent in order to earn God’s love or forgiveness. Rather, repentance is our response to God as He graciously calls us away from sin and toward Himself.
God wants people to come to repentance
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)
God is patient. Every additional opportunity to hear His Word, recognize our sin, and turn toward Him is evidence of His mercy.
God’s desire is not that people perish, but that they repent.
God’s kindness leads us to repentance
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4 ESV)
Sometimes people think of repentance only in connection with God’s judgment. But this passage reminds us of something wonderful: God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.
When we recognize how patient, merciful, and gracious God has been toward us, our response should not be to take His grace for granted. His goodness should cause us to turn away from sin and draw closer to Him.
True repentance produces change
It is possible to regret something without truly repenting. We can feel terrible about the consequences of our actions while continuing in the same direction.
True repentance goes further
It says, “Lord, what I did was wrong. I agree with You about my sin. Forgive me, help me turn away from it, and help me walk in obedience to You.”
John the Baptist described the evidence of genuine repentance this way:
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matt. 3:8 ESV)
In other words, repentance should eventually become visible in the way we live.
Therefore
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31 ESV)
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ESV)
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matt. 3:8 ESV)
Quote
“We must correctly distinguish regret, remorse, and true repentance. Regret is an activity of the mind; whenever we remember what we’ve done, we ask ourselves, “Why did I do that?” Remorse includes both the heart and the mind, and we feel disgust and pain, but we don’t change our ways. But true repentance includes the mind, the heart, and the will. We change our minds about our sins and agree with what God says about them; we abhor ourselves because of what we have done; and we deliberately turn from our sin and turn to the Lord for His mercy.” - Warren Wiersbe