Are You Offended by the Word “Repentance?”

Repentance is one of the most controversial words I have known in God’s Kingdom. When people hear this word, they either shut their ears or they are drawn to it nowadays. Why is this so? This is because of the way the message of repentance is delivered. All preachers of the Gospel should never preach repentance out of anger or as a means to condemn the people of their sins but to restore them back to God with love, patience. The reason why many believers are motivated by fear in their relationship with God or some harden their heart when they hear the word repentance is not because of the word repentance but mostly because of how it was delivered.

If this is you, I would like to encourage you that you are not alone in such experience. But don’t shut your ears to the message of repentance because of the way it was delivered to you or in your church. Don’t think of fearful things about God such as he might punish you anytime because of your sins. Remember, God gave His only Begotten Son to die for your sins because of His love. So why would he punish you because of your sins? That’s not what is in the heart of God. God wants you to repent so that you may be able enter in His Kingdom.

Learn about what Jesus Christ said about repentance as written in the Gospel:

In the accounts of the book of Matthew, after Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the devil and overcame it, he began his ministry by preaching the message of repentance saying, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mat. 4:17).

This was his first message; A call for people to repent of their sins and turn to God. What does it mean to repent of your sin and turn to God? In simple terms, to repent means to change your way of life, to change the way you think and to make decision to return to God. More than being sorry, repentance is visible. Repentance therefore is not what you say but what you do with your life after repenting.

We are called to put our old, sinful nature (ex. stealing, watching pornography, thinking of revenge and all such things) to death because new life [the Kingdom of God] is coming.

I know how easy that sounds when you say it, but when you do it, repentance actually requires the help of Jesus Christ himself, the baptizer of Holy Spirit and fire, because without his help, you won’t be able to repent from your sins. This is the beauty of repentance. You are not alone in this. God is here to help you overcome whatever entanglements, struggles, or addiction you’re into. Christ gave his life and he overcame even death so that we won’t die to our sins but to see all believers raised into a new life as he did. It is by God’s grace and help that you will overcome and come into. It is the goodness of God that leads people to a true repentance (see Romans 2:4).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to repent of my sins. As I have come to know the true meaning of repentance, I ask the help of Your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ to help me change the way I live. I desire the kind of life that is free, full of light and life, one that bears good fruits and not bad ones. Help me for I can do nothing apart from You. I surrender everything in my life and I am willing to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ might name. Amen.