Repent, Reconcile, Renew: Repentance

Repentance, reconciliation and renewal are three important elements in the Christian life. God’s kindness draws us to Him, leading us to repent. Through repentance we become reconciled to God by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Once we are reconciled, the Holy Spirit works in us to renew our minds by the process of sanctification.

All three of these processes involve change. In repentance we change our minds about sin. Rather than being a source of pleasure and liberation, we understand it is the cause of alienation from God and eternal punishment. In being reconciled to God we experience a change in our relationship with God. We change from being His enemies to being His children. As the Holy Spirit renews our hearts and minds, we change from being selfish to embracing lives of obedience and service.

Repentance was the primary message throughout the Gospels. John the Baptist proclaimed, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Likewise, Jesus first recorded message also was “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Later Jesus commissioned the disciples stating that He came so that “repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46)”

Peter’s sermon on Pentecost was, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Finally, Paul taught “that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20).

Repent comes from the compound Greek word, metanoéō. Metá means, "changed after being with.” Noiéō means "to think.” When we repent of sin, we think differently about it after spending time with God. We spend time with God by studying His word and praying. During that time He opens our minds to understand the harm that sin does to us.

In God’s Word we learn that sin enslaves us. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34). Sin separates us from the love of God “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2). Similarly, sin hurts our relationships others as they suffer because of our sin.

God draws us to repentance by demonstrating His love for us. “Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). It is the promise of restoration of our relationship with God that brings repentance, not a fear of hell.

Romans 5 states that “while we were still helpless” (v. 6), “sinners” (v. 8) and even “enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (v.10). Jesus’ death for us is the greatest act of love possible. Through His death and resurrection, we receive forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life.