The Power of Repentance-What exactly is Repentance?

When analyzing true Biblical repentance we need to first take a look at the Hebrew and Greek translations of the word. The Hebrew word for repentance found in the Old Testament is “nōḥam” which means: sorrow and repentance. The Greek word for repentance is “metanoia” which means: a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done.

It is a complete turnaround from the old you to a new creation in Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17. It is a turning point in your life that you choose to say “I am tired of moving in the wrong direction and I am going to change my actions.” The fact is, it is one thing to say that you are sorry for something that you did yet continue to make the same mistake over again vs. being remorseful and then turning away from the transgression that you committed.

The Word of God makes it very clear about how the Lord expects His children to be. 1 Peter 1:16 details, “because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” Another verse of Scripture that gives us an idea of how important it is for us to live a repentant life is found in John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Here we can see two passages of Scripture that are letting us know the significance of true repentance and obedience to the Lord.

One thing that we can never forget is the fact that God’s Word is considered a Book of Law that He expects us to abide by, Joshua 1:8. So when the Lord is mentioning that He wants us to be holy as He is holy and for us to keep His commandments, He is referring to the stipulations and guidelines embedded in the Scriptures. Living your life against what the Word of God says is equivalent to living your life your own way and not taking into consideration the will of God.

Isaiah 53:6 is very clear as the Old Testament prophet details, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” So in other words God is letting us know that those that decide to go their own way are led astray leading to eternal death if they do not repent.

Acts 17:30 reveals some vital information as it states, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Here we can determine that the Lord is not requesting repentance from us but He is commanding it! Repentance is a decision that you have make that also requires action on your part. It is a complete turning away from your evil ways, a change of actions, and choosing to live holy as a way of life.

Genuine repentance is showing the Lord that you love Him so much that you don’t want to do anything that is going to cause a wedge in your relationship. Our Christian life has to reflect the change from the old you to the new you outwardly as well as inwardly. Be willing to understand the indiscretions that God hates so that you can avoid them completely. Some of those transgressions are found in Proverbs 6:16-19.

The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for the remission of sins past, present, and future but He expects us to do our part in living our lives righteously. 1 Peter 2:24 reveals this truth and it states, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

This verse shows us that the Lord bore our sins on His body so that we would have a chance to live an eternal life with Him in heaven. A lot of people think that God is just too strict and does not want us to live a happy life because of the rules and guidelines He has set in place for us to follow. That is so far from the truth!

God is trying to protect His children from the snares of the devil because He knows the consequences of sin. Romans 6:23 makes it plain when the Apostle Paul states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Lord knows that iniquity will cause us to be eternally separated from Him and He wishes that none would perish but that ALL would come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9.

Repentance is the first step to receiving a true relationship with our Heavenly Father. Isaiah 59:2 discloses to us some key information and it states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah is saying that the Lord will not hear those that choose to remain in unrepentant sin.

This passage alone should make you want to take a personal inventory over your life to ensure that there are no areas that require repentance. If there are it is crucial that you repent and turn away from every sinful act that is going to hinder your relationship with Jesus Christ.