Do you remember when you learned how to drive a car? Didn't you quickly learn that to keep a car on the road you must constantly correct your direction? In Scripture there is a similar process; it's called "Repentance."
To most people "repentance" - like the word "sin" - is just an old fashioned expression. But God predetermined that repentance (like sin) should never lose its significance. As long as the earth remains and the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, the need for human repentance will be emphasized. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, repentance, then, is a necessary course correction for salvation in Christ (Rom 3:23; Matt. 9:13; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38). Even Christians must repent (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).
Repentance means "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction (Strong's). Compunction is a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed). But repentance is more than just an attitude. True repentance results in a practical, visible change in one's behavior (Read Jonah 3:10; Matt 12:41; Luke 3:7-14; Acts 26:19-20).
Repentance must be an important matter to God, since it is mentioned over 900 times in the
Bible. Here are a few examples:
1. It is needed to overcome sinful ignorance (Acts 17:30).
2. It is essential to blotting out sins (Acts 3:19).
3. It was the first subject in Jesus' public ministry (Matt. 4:17).
4. It was the last subject Jesus discussed (Rev. 3:19-21).
5. It is a matter of utmost urgency: repent or perish (Luke 13:1-5).
6. It results from "hearing" the Scripture (Luke 16:19-31).
So we must heed what the Scriptures teach us about repentance; it is demanded by God.
Repentance is more than being convicted of sin. The Roman Governor Felix trembled when he heard Paul preach concerning the faith in Christ; a message about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. But the Governor did not repent (Acts 24:24-26). Repentance is more than just feeling bad after hearing a gospel sermon that convicts you of sin.
Repentance is more than a confession of sin. Judas Iscariot confessed to betraying an innocent man (Matt. 27:4). Pharaoh confessed to sinning against the Lord by preventing the Israelites from leaving (Ex. 9:27; 10:16). Balaam confessed his sin in the presence of an angel (Num. 22:34). King Saul confessed to transgressing the commandment of the Lord (1 Sam. 15:24). But these men did not repent. Repentance entails confessing and forsaking sin (Prov. 28:13).
Repentance is more than contrition (sorrow) for sin. Paul explained that godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:8-10). There are two kinds of sorrow for sin: the sorrow of the world that leads to death (e.g., Judas and King Saul), and godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation (e.g., those who believed the gospel and were baptized, Acts 2:41, 47).
What is repentance? Repentance is the correction and prevention of sin; literally, to turn or change the way you're going. It's more than an attitude, it's an action (Luke 3:7-14); it's practical; it's visible. The Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah; they turned from their evil way (Matt 12:41; Jonah 3:10). The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of repentance. The Lord's apostles preached that all "should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting (appropriate to, NASU) repentance" (Acts 26:19-20, NKJV).
- greenmeadowchurchofchrist.com