Biblical Repentance

Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

It is really hard to cover big topics in this OneMinuteMinistry, but sometimes the fundamental must be approached. I have been discussing repentance with someone, and the Spirit has been keeping it on my heart. When God approaches us, yes, he makes the first move, (John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.) then, will we begin to realize that we are a sinner and eternally lost. We can’t begin to grasp all that is found in Jesus, until we realize our depravity; we are condemned to hell without Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Repentance is turning from sin, a change in action, and change period. Repentance biblically defined is changing your mind about who Jesus is, what he has done, and what it means to your temporal and eternal life. A humble repentant heart is one that understands their need for a Savior, one that repents of their sin and turns from it, and lives their changed life as a result of that repentance. CH Spurgeon put it, “If the man does not live differently from what he did before, both at home and abroad, his repentance needs to be repented of, and his conversion is a fiction.” If you have prayed a prayer, signed a card, and nothing has changed in your life, do you really rest eternally that you have recognized the condemnation that awaits those who do not truly make Jesus their Lord and Savior? It was only a short time later in Luke 13 that Jesus addressed those who thought they were saved, and were condemned. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.

If you are resting on Sunday’s religion alone, or weighing your life on the scales of good deeds, your hope is false. If you rest on the understanding that you are a chosen child of God, forever rescued from hell by Jesus, then your life is one of self-sacrifice for the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Living your life with Jesus as your Lord will produce heavenly fruit that flows for the heart that abides in Him. Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. “Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ and turning to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19). Turning from sin is not the definition of repentance, but it is one of the results of genuine, faith-based repentance towards the Lord Jesus Christ.” If God is stirring your heart, that is him making you realize your sin. Repent of your sin, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and live your remaining days here living your whatever he wants you to do with your life. That repentance is Biblical and eternally rewarding.