Repentance in Beginning and Continuing the Christian Life
by Bryan Carlson
Repentance: “A heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ” (Roy 31).
Repentance is emphasized throughout Scripture as an essential component of both beginning and continuing in the Christian life. Repentance involves turning away from sin and turning towards God, acknowledging our need for a Savior and putting our faith in Jesus Christ. Through repentance, we experience the forgiveness and grace of God and grow in our relationship with Him. Acts 3:19 instructs us: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Both John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching repentance. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2 (John); Matthew 4:17 (Jesus)). Furthermore, Jesus taught in Luke 13:3: "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Through repentance, individuals can find forgiveness, receive the grace of God, and experience true inner transformation. Romans 2:4 reminds us that "God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” “The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
Repentance is not only necessary for salvation, but it is also crucial for continuing in the Christian life. In both the beginning and the continuing of the Christian life, repentance is a crucial aspect of the faith. It allows us to acknowledge and confess our sin, experience the forgiveness and grace of God, and grow in our relationship with him. 1 John 1:9 emphasizes the ongoing nature of repentance, stating, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." As Believers, we will continue to sin and fall short of God's perfect standard. Repentance involves acknowledging our sin, confessing it to God, and turning away from it. This allows us to maintain a right relationship with God and continue to grow in our walk with Him.
The doctrine of repentance is important for biblical counseling because it helps individuals understand and deal with the root cause of their struggles. Psalm 32:5 says, "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin." Repentance is not just about admitting guilt but also involves a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in behavior. When individuals understand and embrace the doctrine of repentance, they can begin to see their sin and brokenness in a new light and be empowered to make positive changes in their lives. Through repentance, individuals can find forgiveness, receive the grace of God, and experience true inner transformation. This, of course, assumes the counselee is truly repentant before God.
Worldly sorrow is a form of sorrow that is primarily focused on the negative consequences of sin, such as shame, fear of punishment, or loss of reputation. This kind of sorrow can lead to a temporary change in behavior but does not result in true repentance. On the other hand, godly sorrow is a sorrow that is rooted in a deep awareness of the offense that our sin causes to God. It is not just about the negative consequences of sin but about the fact that our sin is a direct affront to God's holy nature and his perfect standard. David demonstrated this kind of sorrow after his sin with Bathsheba. “I have sinned against the Lord.” “I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my guilt.” “Against You, You only, I have sinned” (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 32; Psalm 51). This kind of sorrow leads to genuine repentance, a turning away from sin and a turning towards God. The difference between these two kinds of sorrow is highlighted in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, where Paul writes: "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." When we experience Godly sorrow, we are moved to confess our sin, seek forgiveness, and turn away from it, knowing that God is faithful to forgive and restore us. This is the goal of biblical counseling.
Don Roy, IBCD, ACBC Theology Exam Study Guide, 31.
