One might consider repenting if they believed that something they were doing in their life was objectionable to themselves or someone they loved. If they believed in God, they might think something they were doing was objectionable to God. Some might think they are unable to repent. So why even try?
They also might think “why should I repent since I want to remain in control of my own life where I get to be the boss?”. They also might think I cannot make it without alcohol, joints, sex, drugs, stealing, hanging out with my friends or some other things that seem important right now.
Repenting at its most basic form means to turn from one thing and to turn toward a different thing. For me, I gave up my current way of life which wasn’t really working very well, and gave my life to the Lord, not really sure if He (God) wanted me. He did, and He wants you too.
Some may think, I am going to turn my life around, and then I am going to become a good person, someone God would want! Actually, God wants you to come to Him now, and then He will be there to help you repent.
I’ll give you several reasons:
- Father God wants you to be in heaven.
- The Son of God, whom we call Jesus, wants to be your Lord and your friend. He loved you so much, he died for you.
- The Holy Spirit – If you give your life to the Lord, God will give you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will “help” you repent. The Spirit will comfort you, convict you of sin, give you wisdom about life choices, and “help” you to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
God wants us to repent. And once we put our faith in Him, he wants us to continue repenting (i.e, changing for the better). We are made holier as we continue to repent and conform ourselves into the image of our Savior, Jesus. This ongoing change is also known as “sanctification”. Becoming more holy, more like Jesus, as we repent and change from our old ways “is a good thing”. And our Helper, the Holy Spirit will be there to “help” us on our journey.
The first thing many of us need to repent of (i.e. turn away from) is the thought that God does not want us and/or our sin is too big of a sin for God to forgive. If you have this thought, please repent/turn away from this thought. This thought is contrary to God’s love for us. He had His son, Jesus, die on the cross to pay the debt we owe for our sins. If necessary, ask Jesus to remove this thought. If it returns, keep asking Jesus to remove that thought.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Paul writing in Romans 8:37-39 NIV)
Read and appreciate these scriptures that discuss “Repenting”.
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Paul speaking in Acts 17:30-31 NKJV)
“The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith, which we preach: that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” (Paul speaking in Romans 10:8-11 WEB)
“Repent therefore, … that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.” (Peter speaking in Acts 3:19)
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Paul speaking in Acts 26:19-20 NKJV)
For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Paul speaking in Romans 6:10-11 WEB)
“The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.” (Jesus speaking in Mark 1:15 WEB)
As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Jesus speaking in Revelation 3:19-21 WEB)
To Repent is a Good Thing! And you will feel great joy when you do so. God wants to be in close relationship with you. A word of help: Seek Jesus now, reach out to Him in the midst of your troubles, and you will find a friend (and a Lord) who desires an intimate and loving relationship with you. No earthly relationship will ever be able to match what you will find in a relationship with Jesus. He loved you so much that He died to pay for your sins. The reason he hates your sins is your sins get in the way of the relationship He wants to have with you. That’s why “Repenting is a Good Thing”.
