What Is Repentance? How to Repent?

What Is Repentance? How to Repent?
WAY2GOD

Repentance is a crucial topic in the New Testament. John the Baptist, Jesus and the disciples talk about repentance . It is so important for Christians as an initial response to the gospel to change their life. Paul said to Corinthians that their sorrow led them to repentance as God's intention (2 Cor.7:9), and Jesus said to Ephesus to consider how far they had fallen! And repent and do the things they did at first (Rev.2:5). So actually, what is repentance?

About Repentance

Mt.3:2
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

Mt.4:17
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

Mk.1:15
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of GOd is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel"

Mk.6:12
"They went out and preached that people should repent"

Lk.3:3, 8
³ Preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins
⁸ Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Lk.15:7
"..There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance..."

Acts
^3:19 "..Repent therefore and be convereted, that your sins may be blotted out..."
^17:30"..Now commands all men everywhere to repent..."
^20:21 "..Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ..."
^26:20 "...They should repent..."

No passage in the Scripture explains the word "repentance." This probably means the word is normal and not an inherently theological word. It is "to change one's mind" about something which also results in changing someone's behavior as well. For instance, if a driver heading North and realized that he was in the opposite direction, and but without turning the direction if he continues his drive without turning back, we cannot consider him as he is repented. According to the New Testament doctrine, repentance is connected with a change of mind (about sin) that affects one's deeds or man's behavior. Acts 26:20 says, "...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds."

Therefore, "being sorry or feeling sorry" without changing of mind is not the same as repentance because repentance is the act of feeling sorry with changing mind or action. Here, worldly sorry brings death but, godly sorry brings repentance that leads to salvation without regrets 2 Cor.7:10 because outside a relationship with God is just death. For instance, Judas Iscariot felt great remorse over his betrayal of Jesus without repentance committed suicide (Mt.27:3-5). On the other hand, Peter also felt great regret for his betrayal of Jesus (Mt.26:75) with true repentance made him proclaiming Christ during persecution (Acts 4).  Does regretting over something wrong we had done with changing mind to do right from now on (repentance) is enough to be getting saved (enough to get salvation)?

Truly, remorse over wrong things that we had done with will not simply let us get saved unless we place our faith in Christ and the righteousness that he provided us. Otherwise, we would be like he, who completely has no idea about Christ Jesus but simply trusting his moral information. All humankind is depraved, which doesn't mean we are completely wrong but, all good works we had done were not pleasing God, for we were sinners in the sight of God. So, alone could make us righteous before God. 

True Repentance

True Repentance is changed of mind to stop doing wrong things and to start doing what is right

Biblical Repentance

Biblical Repentance is a conviction that we are completely helpless to earn salvation by ourselves. Therefore, turn away from sin toward Jesus, who paid our debt and forgive our sins. Therefore, trust and rely only to Jesus as Lord and Savior and also willing to follow only His will.

It is good to know that if unbelievers are willing to repent and trust in Christ, we knew that it's the evidence of God's (HS) working on them. Similarly, if believers are willing to repent of their sins, we knew that it is the work of the Holy Spirit within them. On the other hand, it is possible for a person to feel very sorry and be willing to admit the sin he committed but refuses to willingly follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (God) then this guilty feeling without true repentance is not acceptable to the Lord God. Therefore, true repentance is surrendered ourselves to willingly follow the leading of the Holy Spirit only not our own desire. 

May God bless you