Repentance
There is only one reason our sins can be forgiven, only one reason God does not hold our sins against us—the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:23-24: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus."
Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Ephesians 2:4-5: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ."
Colossians 2:13-14: "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."
1 John 4:9-10: "By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins."
We must repent and believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin.
Matthew 3:1-2: "Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"
Luke 1:76-80: “For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.”
Mark 1:14-15: "Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'"
Mark 6:12: "They went out and preached that men should repent."
Luke 5:31-32: "And Jesus answered and said to them, 'It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'"
Luke 13:3: "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Acts 3:19: "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out."
Romans 2:4: “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”
Ephesians 1:7: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."
After salvation, this is how God view our sins.
Psalm 32:1-2: "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit, there is no deceit."
Psalm 103:12: "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
Romans 8:1-2: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
When God forgives us, He demonstrates the depth of His infinite mercy and grace. The powerful imagery of removing our sins as far as the east is from the west signifies complete separation from guilt and condemnation. God's forgiveness is a beautiful display of His unending love for us, an act that surpasses our comprehension.
Through this act of forgiveness, God cleanses us from all unrighteousness. It is not a superficial cleansing but a thorough and complete washing away of our sins. As a result, we are restored to a state of purity before Him. His forgiveness is not limited to certain sins or certain times but extends to every aspect of our lives, leaving no stain of guilt upon our hearts.
In this act of forgiveness, God justifies us through our faith in Jesus Christ. He legally acquits us of our sins and credits us with the righteousness of Christ. As a result, we stand before Him as blameless and accepted. Our sins are no longer held against us, as they were nailed to the cross with Christ. We are no longer viewed as guilty sinners but as righteous children of God.
God's forgiveness also brings about reconciliation. Through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, God removes the barrier of sin that once separated us from Him. This act allows us to have a restored and intimate fellowship with Him. Through His forgiveness, God bridges the gap that sin created, drawing us near to Him in love and compassion.
His forgiveness is not a mere cancellation of our sins, but a comprehensive act that wipes away the debt we owed to God because of our transgressions. We can never repay Him for this act of grace, and it is not something we can earn or deserve. Instead, it is a gift freely given out of His boundless love and compassion for His creation.
God's forgiveness is not an abstract concept; it brings about a transformative and personal encounter with His grace. It goes beyond just wiping our slate clean; it leads to a transformed heart and a new life. God's forgiveness heals our wounded souls, restores our joy, and empowers us to live a life of freedom and purpose.
Above all, God's forgiveness is rooted in His unconditional love for us. It is not based on our merits or deservingness but on His loving and compassionate nature. He forgives us not because we deserve it, but because He loves us deeply. His forgiveness sets us free from the burden of guilt and shame, allowing us to experience the fullness of His love and grace.
This is how we are to live in light of so great a salvation and what Christ accomplished for us.
Romans 6:1-2: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
Romans 6:6-7: "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."
Romans 13:11-14: “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. Therefore, let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Sober up morally and stop sinning, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”
Galatians 5:16-17: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Ephesians 4:17-32: “So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; you are to put off the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
James 5:16: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much."
1 John 3:6-10: “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”
This is not always a simple, easy task.
Romans 7:14-25: "For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner person, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my body's parts. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand, I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh, the law of sin."
Once saved, we are eternally secure in Christ.
Romans 8:16: "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
Ephesians 1:13-14: "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Philippians 1:6: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus."
God desires that His children have confidence and assurance in their salvation. He offers reassurance through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The inner witness of the Holy Spirit testifies to our identity as children of God, assuring us that our salvation is not based on our performance or good deeds but on the Spirit's work within us. When we put our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit seals us as God's own possession, guaranteeing our eternal inheritance and reminding us of God's faithfulness.
It is essential to distinguish between genuine assurance of salvation and complacency in sin. The assurance of salvation should lead us to live in gratitude and obedience to God, not grant a license for sinful behavior. While we may still struggle with sin after salvation, God's forgiveness and grace remain available. Sincere repentance and seeking restoration are crucial, as God is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins.
Confession and seeking forgiveness from others foster relational healing and restoration within the body of Christ. Openly acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness create a culture of accountability and support. Our salvation is secure in Christ, and as we walk in repentance and faith, we experience growth in holiness. The occurrence of sin after salvation does not mean losing our salvation, but rather emphasizes the importance of repentance, restoration, and a continual pursuit of holiness.
It is important for us to confess when we do sin.
Psalm 51:10-12: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Proverbs 28:13: "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and abandons them will find compassion."
1 John 1:8-10: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
1 John 2:1-2: "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Luke 15:11-32 contains the well-known parable of the prodigal son. This parable teaches us profound lessons about God's forgiveness and love.
The parable highlights the father's extravagant and unconditional love for his wayward son. Just as the father eagerly embraced and forgave his son, God's love for us is boundless and forgiving. This teaches us that no matter how far we've strayed, God's love and forgiveness are always available when we turn back to Him.
The prodigal son's journey back home is a representation of repentance—a change of heart and a turning away from sin. God eagerly forgives us when we sincerely repent and turn to Him. This encourages us to recognize our need for repentance and seek God's forgiveness with a contrite heart. The father's willingness to restore the prodigal son symbolizes God's redemptive work in our lives. We are not only forgiven, but we continue in a position of honor and privilege as His children.
The father's joy at the return of his lost son mirrors God's joy over sinners who repent. This illustrates that God rejoices when we come back to Him, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's forgiveness rather than fearing His rejection. The father in the parable runs to meet his son while he was still a long way off. This portrays God's eagerness to forgive and reconcile with us even before we fully approach Him. God takes the initiative in offering forgiveness, illustrating His grace and mercy.
Just as the father's compassion extended to both sons, God's forgiveness is available to all. We're reminded that we should also extend compassion and forgiveness to others, reflecting God's nature.
The older brother's reaction to his younger brother's return reflects the attitude of self-righteousness and lack of forgiveness. It reminds us that harboring bitterness and resentment can prevent us from fully understanding and embracing God's forgiveness. We should guard against such attitudes and strive to cultivate a forgiving heart.
Overall, the parable of the prodigal son teaches us that God's forgiveness is not only readily available but also accompanied by His unchanging love and joy. It encourages us to approach God with humility, repentance, and a heart ready to receive and extend forgiveness to others.
It is important that we demonstrate genuine sorrow as opposed to the sorrow of the world.
2 Corinthians 7:9-12: “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
As believers, we embark on a transformative journey after experiencing salvation. Through the work of the Holy Spirit within us, we are gradually moved away from a lifestyle characterized by persistent sin. Instead, we are empowered to pursue righteousness and holiness. Although occasional sin may still occur, the overall direction of our lives should be one of obedience to God.
The process of sanctification becomes an ongoing aspect of our journey, with the Holy Spirit aligning us with God's will and guiding us to grow in Christ-likeness. Repentance holds a vital role in this transformation, as it leads to forgiveness and a restored fellowship with God when we turn away from our sins.
Through Christ's sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, we are set free from the power of sin. As a result, we are no longer slaves to its dominion. The indwelling Holy Spirit aids us in resisting sin and enables us to walk in righteousness. Although we may still face struggles with sin, we have the power to overcome it through the Holy Spirit's help.
Our assurance of salvation rests in our faith in Christ, not on our ability to lead perfect lives. When we stumble and fall into sin, we can find forgiveness and restoration through confession and repentance. Jesus Christ, our advocate before the Father, intercedes on our behalf, ensuring our reconciliation with God.
The Christian life is an ongoing journey of growth and transformation, with the Holy Spirit guiding us to become more and more like Christ. Through our identification with Christ's death and resurrection, we experience liberation from the dominion of sin. This freedom allows us to live in alignment with God's purposes, continually growing in holiness.
As we submit to the Holy Spirit's work within us, we can trust in God's faithfulness to bring His transformative work to completion. Until the day of Christ's return, the Holy Spirit continues to work within us, molding and shaping us into the image of our Savior.
Article: Repentance in Beginning and Continuing in 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.
