James H. Cagle
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3: 1, 2). See also Matthew 4: 17; Mk. 6: 12; Lk. 24: 47; Acts 2: 38; 11: 18; 20: 21; 26: 20; II Pet. 3: 9; Revelation 3: 19.
To those who say that repentance is not essential for salvation, we say that repentance was preached by John the Baptist and Jesus Christ before Pentecost, by Peter at Pentecost, and by Paul and the other apostles after Pentecost. And that it must be preached today because without repentance there is no salvation from sin nor escape from the pit of Hell. “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Lk. 13: 5).
Psalm one-hundred and nineteen, verses 59 and 60 show us real repentance. It reads, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” Repentance starts with self-examination. We see where we are in our sin and rebellion against God and in haste and without delay leave our sin and rebellion to walk according to God’s Word.
Repentance is not reformation or turning over a new leaf. Repentance is not quitting old sinful habits and picking up new better habits. A man can turn away from his sins, and still not repent and turn to Christ, and therefore still not be a Christian.
Repentance is not contrition or sorrow of heart over our sins. I believe a person should be sorry for their sins, but being sorry for sin is not repentance. That sorrow must lead to repentance. “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of this world worketh death” (II Cor. 7: 10).
Repentance is not penance. Penance is an expression of sorrow by an act that we do to punish ourselves for our sins. Through real repentance the punishments for our sins are laid upon Jesus Christ Who is our sin-bearer.
Repentance is a change of mind. The literal meaning of repentance is “after-thought” or “reconsideration.” A “change of mind” is the substitution of a new mind for the old mind. True repentance is self-judgment which leads to a change of mind which will lead to a change of action.
“The New Testament word for repentance means changing one’s mind so that one’s views, values, goals, and ways are changed and one’s whole life is lived differently. The change is radical, both inwardly and outwardly; mind and judgment, will and affections, behavior and life-style, motives and purposes, all are involved. Repentance means starting to live a new life.”
Repentance is a must for salvation. We must change the way we think about self, sin, God, and Jesus Christ.
“True repentance consists in the heart being broken over sin and broken from sin.” — Thornton
