Despite the vast majority of people not wanting to hear about it, repentance is essential to both practice and preach. Life cannot come apart from repentance. Some may think that all one needs to have is faith. However, faith presupposes repentance.
For instance, how could one have faith in Christ if he lived in sin? His focus would be on sin, not on Christ. When someone is lost in sin, they must turn from this state with God’s help, or they will never fix their eyes on Jesus.
In the Old Testament, the bronze serpent was held up in the wilderness for the people to look upon and receive healing after venomous snakes had bitten them. In John’s Gospel, the reader is told that the bronze serpent symbolizes Christ on the cross. When someone looks upon Christ high and lifted up on Calvary’s cross, with the eyes of faith, he will receive spiritual healing. However, can one look upon Christ when his eyes are elsewhere? When the inward gaze of the heart is upon sin, there can be no looking to Christ.
There must be a turning within from sin to Jesus. This turning is not merely intellectual. It is transformational. Scripture says, ” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (KJV, Rom. 12:2). When someone’s mind shifts from sin to Jesus, there will be a change that takes place. Clearly, repentance is absolutely essential unto salvation. However, it must also be present throughout the life of the Christian, for without it, there can be no assurance of salvation, for the Bible declares that when one repents, transformation takes place.
The Bible speaks of repentance with clear warnings for those who neglect it. Therefore, the Christian must consider the words of God on this essential matter.
More truth, more punishment
Being surrounded by the truth does not make someone a believer. Knowing what the Bible says does not make someone a believer. Satan knows a lot about the Bible, which does not make him any less destined for hell, fire, and brimstone.
Matthew speaks of Jesus and says, “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not” (Matt. 11:20). Some may think that it is the people who have never heard about Christ who need to repent. While there is truth to such a claim, Jesus was highly concerned with those familiar with His work but who neglected repentance.
Jesus goes on to say, “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matt. 11:21). To pronounce woes upon the cities was to call down curses from heaven. Unfortunately, the people of the cities had seen the works of Christ and remained in their unrepentant state.
However, the words of Christ get worse for the people who know of Jesus yet neglect repentance. He says, “But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you” (Matt. 11:22). Christ stated that worse judgment would come for the one who knows the truth and denies it than for those who never knew the truth.
There are many cities in which churches are on every corner. Driving down the highway, churches are scattered along the way with crosses in the air for all to see. Many know what Christ has done but neglect repentance.
Perishing without repentance
Not only will the judgment be worse, but those who neglect repentance will perish. The topic of perishing without repentance and a future judgment for those who ignore repentance is not necessarily enjoyable to talk about. However, the Bible speaks about it, and thus it is necessary. Jesus warned many would look upon Him at the coming judgment and say, “Lord, Lord.” But Christ will respond with the shocking words that He never knew them.
Christ’s words must be given careful consideration. He says elsewhere, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). If saying it one time was not enough, He repeats it two verses later, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5). The words of Christ are about as clear as they could be. “Repent or perish. Turn from living for yourself to living for me. Turn your eyes off of the world and fix them on me.”
The Bible teaches that God is patient and desires that all come to repentance. After Luke 13:3, 5, Jesus taught a parable to this effect. In the parable, Jesus tells of a man who had a fig tree and came seeking its fruit for three years. Nevertheless, the man was not able to find fruit on his tree. Therefore, the tree owner wanted to cut the tree down, but the vinedresser convinced him to the contrary. Instead, the vinedresser tells the owner that he will prepare the soil to promote growth and fruit. He tells the owner that it may bear fruit next year, but he can cut it down if it does not.
God is at work, and He is seeking fruit. Scripture says, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance…” (Luke 3:8).
Storing up wrath
Yet again, the words of Scripture are not necessarily enjoyable to touch upon, but it must be done. Scripture says, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5). The word translated as treasurest is the Greek Word thesaurizo and carries the meaning of amassing and reserving as in a storehouse for safekeeping.
The imagery is telling and frightful. The unrepentant sinner who hardness his heart toward God and correction is storing up wrath for the day of wrath.
What must the Christian do?
Repentance must take place for forgiveness to come. Someone cannot die and expect the forgiveness of God unless he has repented in this life. The Bible declares that first comes death, then comes judgment. But God delights in the repentance of the sinner.
Jesus told a parable that is commonly referred to as the prodigal son. In this parable, the son takes his inheritance and squanders it. He lives sinfully, and his lifestyle brings him to ruin. In his sinful state, he repents of his sin and turns back to his father. The father rushes to embrace him with much celebration.
The love of the father is on display in the parable as he rejoices to see his son come home. He is not filled with wrath or anger. He does not turn his son away to go back to live with the pigs. Instead, he runs to meet his son, who was far off at first sight of him.
Repentance must take place for someone to experience the unique love of God. God loves His creation, but there is a unique love of God that only the Christian can experience. There is also a unique love that the repentant Christian experiences as opposed to the Christian holding onto sin. Scripture says, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). The manifest presence of God is only for the repentant.
However, Jesus Christ has come and has shown His love for the lost. He died in the place of the sinner so that the sinner might have life and have it abundantly. He is not like the hired hand who runs at first sight of danger, but instead, He has given His life for the sake of His sheep. He is worthy of being turned too. He is worthy of one’s attention. He alone is to be worshipped.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the gift of repentance. You have been patient with me, and I pray that You will strengthen my repentance this day. Help me to turn from sin and honor You in my life. May I bear fruit in keeping with repentance and glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.