There once was a man full of strife,
who turned from the sins in his life.
Though tempted to stray,
he knelt down to pray,
and called upon the Lord to revive.
Spanish Translation
Había una vez un hombre en pena,
que huyó de su vida tan llena.
Aunque fue tentado,
se puso a rezar arrodillado,
pidiéndole al Señor que lo salvará.
Translated by: ElRoyPoet, 2025
What is repentance and is it necessary for salvation?
The Purpose of Repentance: 5 Key Points to consider
Christians, today we gather to delve into the profound and transformative power of repentance. In our spiritual journey, repentance is not merely an act of regret but a pivotal experience that leads us back to our relationship with God. Let us explore what true repentance looks like, the fruits of genuine repentance, and the hope it brings to our lives.
I. Understanding Repentance
Repentance can be summarized as two essential components: turning away from sin and turning toward God. The Greek word for repentance, “metanoia,” means a change of mind. It is not just a mere feeling of sorrow for our wrongdoings but a deep, life-altering decision to turn away from our sinful behaviors.
In Acts 3:19, we read, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” This verse emphasizes the importance of both turning away from sin and turning back to God. When we repent, we experience forgiveness and the refreshing presence of the Lord in our lives.
II. The Evidence of True Repentance
How do we know if someone has truly repented? The evidence of genuine repentance is displayed in a transformed life. Our outward behaviors, conversations, and even inner feelings reflect this change.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” True repentance produces a new identity in Christ and leads to a change in our actions.
However, we must recognize that while a repentant heart seeks to follow God, falling into temptation is an unfortunate reality of our human condition. Even those who have genuinely turned from sin may sometimes stumble and fall.
III. The Struggle Against Sin
It’s crucial to understand that temptation can overtake even the most sincere believers. We may find ourselves struggling with the very sins from which we have repented, but this does not negate our sincere desire to turn back to God.
In Galatians 6:1, we are advised, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” This shows us that, even amidst our struggles, we are called to support each other and restore one another in love.
Experiencing temptation and even falling back into sin doesn’t mean we have abandoned repentance. What matters is our response. Do we stay in our sin, or do we rise again, grieved over our actions and seeking the Lord’s grace?
IV. The Heart of a Repentant Person
A true repentant heart is marked by a deep sense of grief over sin and an earnest desire to return to God. This is not a fleeting emotion but a lasting attitude of humility and dependence on God’s grace.
In Psalm 51:17, David writes, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” This illustrates that God delights in our sincere repentance and is eager to forgive us and renew us.
When we approach God with a contrite heart, we come to Him with vulnerability, acknowledging our need for His mercy.
V. The Hope of Repentance
Finally, it is essential to recognize that repentance is not just a requirement; it is a gift. The Gospel is couched in the promise of redemption and restoration through Christ.
In 1 John 1:9, it assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This promise gives us hope that no matter how many times we fall, we can rise again through Christ’s love and forgiveness.
Christians, as we reflect on repentance today, let us remember its powerful purpose in our lives. It is not just an end but a means of restoring our relationship with God. May we turn away from sin, turn towards God, and continually seek His grace. Let us encourage one another on this journey and uphold each other in prayer, reminding ourselves and each other of the grace that awaits us when we come to Him with a contrite heart. Amen.
Poem Prompt:
Repentance, then, can be summarized as consisting chiefly of two things: turning away from sin and forsaking it, and turning to God. We know that someone has truly repented because it is evident in their life—in their behavior and conversation on the outside, as well as in their affections and heart on the inside. Do they ever commit the sins from which they have repented? NOT as a constant course of life. However, if they persist in their indiscretions, it indicates that their repentance was not of the truest kind.
It is also possible for some to have genuinely repented of their sins yet still be overtaken and surprised by temptation, leading them to fall back into the same sins from which they have repented. BUT, they do not remain in those sins; instead, they get up again, feeling bitter grief over their actions, and return once more to the Lord. There is no Gospel without repentance, and there is no true repentance without supplication for the Holy Spirit to accompany you in your daily walk.
So, You Just Became a Christian?
“If you are now wondering where to look for consolation, where to seek a new and better God, a new and better faith, you will surely realize, in your present loneliness and despair, that this time you must not look to external, official sources, to Bibles, pulpits, or thrones, for enlightenment. Nor to me. You can find it only in yourself. And there it is, there dwells the God who is higher and more selfless… The sages of all time have proclaimed Him, but He does not come to us from books, He lives within us, and all our knowledge of him is worthless unless He opens our inner eye. This God is in you too. He is most particularly in you, the dejected and despairing… Search where you may, no prophet or teacher can relieve you of the need to look within… Don’t confine yourself… to any other prophet or guide. Our mission is not to instruct you, to make things easier for you, to show you the way. Our mission is solely to remind you that there is a God and only one God; He dwells in your hearts, and it is there that you must seek Him out and speak with Him.” Excerpt from Hermann Hesse on Hope, the Difficult Art of Taking Responsibility, and the Wisdom of the Inner Voice
Satan’s story to Eve in Genesis 3 and to Jesus in Matthew 4, was that they could live independently of God, that is, they could be their own god, set their own standards, let circumstances dictate their decision. But it is a lie. Either God controls your life by your choosing to let him, or Satan controls your life by your choosing to let him and by your choosing to just go with the flow. You and I were designed by God to be ruled by a spirit. Our choice is not whether to be ruled, but rather by which spirit we will be ruled.
So, the Christian’s life is based on decisions, the process of making deliberate right choices, without being swayed by Satan’s input into our appetites or emotions.
“In Satan’s temptation of Eve in Genesis 3 and in his temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4, we see the tactics he used and still uses with us. While varied in their details, most temptations fall into one of three categories as listed in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Excerpts from How does Satan tempt us?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Bible, John 3:16
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as An Atoning Sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
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