Nature and Role of ‘Repentance’

(A typically caricatured term – often associated with condemnation and judgmentalism)

(Meaning of term:  to ‘repent’ is to ‘change one’s mind’ (Repentance (noun) is ‘a change of mind’). Repentance has tended to be understood as being sorry and ‘turning away from sin’ so as to be made right with God. But repentance in the bible mostly refers to something that God himself offers us as a ‘gift’ because turning from our own ways is not something we can do naturally without his help. We receive this gift by believing, so that repentance, as more generally used in the bible, refers to ‘a change of mind’ that enables us to humbly receive God’s grace and salvation and so become reconciled to him through belief and trust.

Rather than being something burdensome that demands we show ourselves worthy of God’s salvation by starting to choose what is right, repentance is described as being a response of belief and acceptance that starts to happen as we begin to understand and trust in the absolute goodness of God’s purposes toward us.

The purpose of repenting is so that we may acknowledge our own inability and thereby receive the better things that God wants to impart to us, including forgiveness and a clear conscience, a will to desire him and an ability to live according to his ways. It is an attitude that becomes part of us and carries on, so that our understanding of God and our relationship with him can continue to grow. Repentance also has the meaning of making an 180 degree ‘about turn’ so that we begin to go in a totally new direction, i.e. moving towards a new understanding of God that opens up for us hope of renewal through the possibilities and promises that God offers.)

References:

“The time has come,” [Jesus] said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15 NIV

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2: 1‑5 NIV

Exercise:  To gain a sense of the positive and hopeful aspects of repentance, try substituting ‘change of mind to believe and receive’ where the words ‘repent’ or ‘repentance’ occur in key passages of the bible

 Examples: 

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10 NASB

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who changes their mind to believe and receive. Luke 15:10 NASB

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References:

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 NIV

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to a change of mind to believe and receive? Romans 2:4 NIV

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NASB

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to a change of mind to believe and receive. 2 Peter 3:9 NASB

"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Romans 2:4 NKJV

"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to a change of mind to believe and receive?" Romans 2:4 NKJV

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References:

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11:18 NIV

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted a change of mind to believe and receive that leads to life.” Acts 11:18 NIV

Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 2 Corinthians 7:9 NIV

Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to a change of mind to believe and receive. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 2 Corinthians 7:9 NIV

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2: 25‑26 NIV

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them a change of mind to believe and receive, leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2: 25‑26 NIV

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References:

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Matthew 4:17 NIV

From that time on Jesus began to preach, " Change your mind to believe and receive, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Matthew 4:17 NIV

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19 NIV

Change your mind to believe and receive, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19 NIV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Change your mind to believe and receive and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 ESV

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits . . . They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Mark 6: 6‑13 NIV

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits . . . They went out and preached that people should change their minds to believe and receive. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Mark 6: 6‑13 NIV

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2 ESV

Change your mind to believe and receive, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2 ESV

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, . . . " Isaiah 30:15 NIV

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In a change of mind to believe and receive and [in] rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, . . . "
Isaiah 30:15 NIV

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5: 31‑32 NIV

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to a change of mind to believe and receive.” Luke 5: 31‑32 NIV

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References:

You heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4: 21‑29 NIV

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But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:5 NIV

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart with its unchanged mind to believe and receive, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:5 NIV

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.
John 6:44 NLT

Then He said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” John 6:65 NLT

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29 AMP

Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 NIV

You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. Proverbs 28:13 GNT

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
1 John 1: 8‑10 NLT

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2: 9‑10 NLT

And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation [their settlements, lands, and abodes], So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, for we are also His offspring. Acts 17: 26‑28 AMP

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 6‑9 NLT

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

As the Lord’s servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth.
2 Timothy 2: 24‑25 GNT

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10: 19‑25 NIV

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