An Article of Faith

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near’” (Matthew 4:17).
When we talk about repentance, many people think of repentance in a negative way. But the truth of repentance is described in Jesus’ words just quoted. When we repent (turn around), the full dimensions of God’s presence and power are waiting right there. The cleansing, the power, the joy, and the fullness of life that God has to offer are waiting right on the other side of our repentance.
The call to repentance is a serious one. God calls His people to repent or perish (see Revelation 2:5). Sin is serious and we must treat it as we would a serious wound. In Jeremiah 6 God described the condition of the nation. The people were very sinful, and the leaders treated the sin as if it were not serious: “They dress the wound of My people as though it were not serious” (Jeremiah 6:14).
God doesn’t allow us to set the conditions for repentance. Repentance is not being sorry that you got caught. It’s not just feeling sorrow for your sin. Repentance is not just taking an action to get away from God’s judgment. The word “repent” means to turn away from your sin and return to God with all your heart. Sorrow is not enough. Reforming your behavior for a while is not enough. Returning to a religious activity is not enough. God wants you to love Him with all your heart. When you return to a love relationship with Him, your lifestyle will reflect the change. According to Scripture, repentance must come before forgiveness: “He [John the Baptist] went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ... John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance’ ” (Luke 3:3, 7-8a).
The fruit of repentance is a changed lifestyle. Confession of sin is not enough. Confession is merely agreeing with God about your sin. That’s the first step, but it’s not repentance. Sorrow for sin is not enough, either: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Only a broken heart over sin leads to real repentance.
When we repent, our heart and lifestyle will change in a way that shows we have repented. Paul explained how new life in Christ reflects repentance: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Once we die to self, Christ takes up residence in our lives! He becomes our life. He lives through us. That’s how we show genuine repentance: we allow Christ live in and through us.
“For to me,” declares the apostle Paul, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

(Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.)