I was requested by a newer reader to expound more on what it means to repent. Sorry, but I forgot who it was, so my sincere apologies in advance. So let's take a deeper look at repentance.
Some scholars advise that we repent often, some say daily. I am of the belief that we should repent immediately whenever the Holy Spirit convicts us of our wrongdoings (sins). But I am but an evangelist and lay minister still in seminary.
Saying sorry is not enough
It's a great start, but repentance is more than telling God you are sorry for your sins. For example, let's say you accidentally bump into a lady at the supermarket and her groceries spill to the aisle. Most people would say, "I'm sorry," and rightly so.
Some would even help the lady pick up a few of her things and then move on. However, the right thing to do would be to pick all of her things up and pay for any damages to her food items, clothes that were stained, et cetera.
These days when we bump into someone when walking we offer a flippant apology. "Sorry," we say, but we are not really sorry. The hustle and bustle of modern life has weakened our conscience to the point that we have no real regret to what happens when we bump into someone on the street or wherever.
And the very same thing may said about repentance. We are frequently not sorry!
Many are unaware that repentance was an early part of the new church and we even find many passages in the Old Testament.
"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (John 3:1-2, NIV).
The parable of the weeds
Let's take a look at this entire passage explained by Jesus because it is important. Please read it carefully.
"The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear" (Matthew 13:37-43, NIV).
Christ's explanation
When Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17; Mark 3:2), He was referring to the spiritual realm which exists on earth side by side with the realm of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Thus, when the kingdom of heaven comes to its eventual fruition, heaven will be a reality and there will be no weeds among the wheat. But for the time being, both good and bad seeds mature in the world.
One can simply look around and observe this very thing. Of course, the enemy is Satan. He craftily places false believers and teachers in the world and in the churches who lead many people astray and to their eternal damnation in the lake of fire.
The Lost Doctrine of Repentance
Christ Jesus calls us true believers to repentance, not solely to believe intellectually in the basic facts of the gospel message. This is the easy believeism we hear in the church today.
We hear pastors and priests (less frequently priests) simply say after their sermon: "Let's all bow our heads. If any have heard this message and you would like to receive Jesus, raise your hand."
That's not how it works, friends. Yes, it's a start, but I couldn't tell you how many people have raised their hand every single time. You see, they have no assurance of their salvation, perhaps because they have not repented or even know what it means to repent.
See, many modern churches preach hope and prosperity, but they leave out repentance. Repentance is necessary for true Christian conversion.
The real meaning of repentance
Repentance (the Greek metanoia) literally means to change your mind regarding both one's self and God. Repentance then is the actual forsaking of our sin and turning totally and completely to Christ Jesus with one's whole heart.
In the act of repentance a sinner comes to a profound, perhaps weeping, godly sorrow over their sins and then turns wholly to God with a heart of love and devotion. Repentance, then, is at the heart of a true Christian conversion experience.
And what is true conversion but putting to death our old lifestyle and the beginning of Jesus Christ’s life in us. Conversion is, in a word then, true repentance.
Finally, after Jesus rose from the dead and showed Himself to over 500 witnesses, He told the disciples a most important message before He ascended back into heaven, one I pray you will hear today and heed:
"Then he opened their (the disciples) minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:45-47).
Application
Are you a lost sinner who has not received or ever known Jesus Christ? Or are you a professing Christian who lives like the worldly do? Do you sit in church thinking you are a Christian or do you think you are a Christian because you were born into a Christian family?
If you are any one of the aforementioned, you need to repent now. Get on your knees, lie prone with your face down if necessary, and repent. Don't just say "I'm sorry, God," but in a sincere and heartfelt act of contrition, vow to turn from your wickedness and let Jesus live in you.
When you do so, the Holy Spirit will come upon you and lead you, guide you, convict you of your every sin, and He will be your Teacher, because He too is God.
Finally, before I pray for you my readers, please take 18 seconds of your time and watch this brief video. 18 seconds you need to hear.
https://www.facebook.com/pastorallenjackson/videos/438229457974276/
I pray this message explains repentance more thoroughly and that it leads you to live a godly life rather than the life you have been living for the ruler of this world, Satan. In the name of Jesus, I pray, amen and amen.
I also agree your article i also do repentance to other people and i pray to God that he will forgive my sins. I am a new user here, i am lucky that i read your article that amazed me. God Bless.