Repentance Is Not Saying Sorry

2 Tim 2:24-25
The Lord’s servant must be kind to all, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth. (NASU)

Often we say to someone who has sinned, “Have you repented.” What we really mean is, “Have you said sorry and asked God to forgive you!

But this is not repentance – this is confession of sin which is no longer necessary under the New Covenant. Rather, repentance is a change of mind which leads to a change of behaviour.

 Let’s look at how Strong’s Greek Dictionary translates the word, ‘repentance’.

 REPENTANCE: Reversal of a decision, a change of mind, a change of purpose, compunction for guilt.

 The only phrase included here that could be linked to confession of sin is – ‘A compunction for guilt’, which means a sorrowing for what we’ve done; and that’s what it was under the Old Covenant.

 But now under the New Covenant, God has dealt with sin once and for all and there’s no longer any need to sorrow, be guilty or mourn over our sin!

 Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

 Can you see how confusing repentance with confession moves people away from the truth of the gospel of grace and traps people in a life of bondage to sin.

 When we understand that repentance means to change our mind towards Christ because He has forgiven all our sins, repentance becomes something to rejoice and joy in!

 Repentance: Granted By God — We’ve evolved this idea that repentance towards God is something we choose to do. On the contrary, repentance is something that can only come from God.

 Acts 5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (NKJV)

 Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “ Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (NKJV)

 Repentance from God comes in the form of revelation from His word.

 When God quickens His word to our spirit, He always releases faith to put His word into action. This is repentance because it enables us to change our mind leading to a transformation of our behaviour.

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema: Revelation) of God. (NKJV)

 Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 Repentance is inward change by the power of God’s grace! Any other kind of repentance is dead works. (Eph 4:22-24)

 New Covenant repentance is exchanging the dead works of the flesh and embracing the good works of the Spirit!

Meditation Point: Repentance towards God is an inward change of the heart facilitated by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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