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Repentance: It's simple math.
- Aug 27, 2024
- 3 min read
Repent. Repentance. The act of repenting.
I don't know about you, but "repentance" - or anything having to do with it - scared the poo out of me as a young Christian. I just always had visions of fire and brimstone "dancing in my head". (That was supposed to make you laugh...haha).
For some reason, the word intimidated me so much that I chose to avoid its existence altogether. It wasn't until college (and experiencing some intense spiritual growing pains) that I approached repentance in a completely different light.
If you are simple-minded like me, a quick "Repentance for Dummies" might be most helpful... check these cool facts out:
The word "repent" has its roots in the Latin word, "poenitire" which means "makes sorry." Adapted later to be "repentir" an Old French word meaning "to feel regret for sins or crimes."
In the New Testament, the Greek word for repent was "metanoia" meaning "to change one's mindset."
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "teshuvah" comes from the verb "shuv", which means "to return" and translated means "to turn and go a different direction."
The Christian Dictionary defines repentance as: "an event in which an individual attains a divinely provided new understanding of their behavior and feels compelled to change that behavior and begin a new relationship with God."
The concept of repentance is found in ALL major religions!
In Islam, it is called "tawba" which is the act of repenting to God for sins and misdeeds.
In Hinduism, the idea of seeking forgiveness and atonement is present in rituals involving acts of penance, such as fasting, prayers, and charity.
In Judaism, repentance is seen as a "return to God."
Okay, now that our "crash course in repentance" has been successfully completed... let's get to the meaty part!
As the title implies, repentance is simple math.
Too often believers and nonbelievers alike tend to overlook the necessity of repentance for salvation.
In fact, the actual use of the word "repentance" has astronomically dropped over the last century (see graph below).
Could it be that some Christian pastors and leaders are more concerned with making their congregants feel warm and fuzzy than convicted?
"People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." - Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)
Or perhaps we Christians prefer to focus on the forgiveness part of sin instead of the repentance part?
"Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" - Romans 2:4 (NLT)
Whatever the reason... playing ignorant does not change the TRUTH... Repentance is required for salvation and forgiveness.
"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." - 1 John 1:9 (NLT)
I think one of the most important words in this verse is "If" - because it denotes free will. It is our choice to acknowledge and confess our sins to the LORD.
Repentance = A 180° Turn
Step 1: Confess our sins to the LORD.
Step 2: Admit that we need God's help to change our lives.
Step 3: Turn entirely away from sin and towards salvation in Christ!
Acknowledging our sins can be difficult.
Confessing them to God will be releasing.
Turning away from them will be freeing.
Repentance is a conscience and active attempt to turn our backs on the sinful ways of the world AND turn our hearts and minds towards the Cross of Jesus!
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