What is repentance?

Acts 20.21 : "To the Jews and the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Definition : from the Greek "Métanoïa" means to change mentality, intention. Sadness that one feels of one's sins and the pain of having offended God. Repentance is our action and forgiveness is the reaction of God.

1-) Its origin.

In His infinite mercy, God did all that the religions in the world could not do to save us from the condemnation of sin. God, sent a Savior, His Son Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus Christ took the punishment that we deserved, he who did not commit any sin. God has revealed through His Holy Spirit His plan for the salvation of men, He has ordained that the Good News of the Kingdom be preached to every human being. The message of Jesus is simple : All you have to do is repent of your sins to receive new life. Jesus said, "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to change their attitude." (Luke 5.32).

Ephesians 2.8: "For by grace you are saved through faith, and it does not come from you, it is the gift of God."

Which side are you on ?

God does not want us to perish, but he wants us to bear fruit because he loves us. God's forgiveness is universal, he covers all sins for all who accept Jesus Christ honestly through a personal relationship. We seek God with a repentant heart. Whatever our lives, God's forgiveness drives out darkness and brings us to the light. If we are in communion with Christ, we walk in his light, the blood of the Lamb cleanses us from all sin. The impact of this supreme love definitively freed us, we are infinitely grateful.

John 12:46: "I (Jesus), light, I have come into the world, that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness."

2-) How does repentance manifest in our lives ?

The first meaning of "repenting" is simply to change one's life. Repentance is a necessity for anyone who wants to be saved. To repent is to understand and accept the value of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The foundation of God's justice is to no longer conform to the way of life of this world. It is a total change of mentality, it is an awareness that makes us feel a deep need to be reconciled with God.

Romans 12.2 : "Do not conform to the present age, but be transformed by the renewing of the understanding, that you may discern what is the will of God, which is good, pleasant, and perfect."

To renounce sin is to admit that we have acted badly, which is difficult for us because of our pride, but it is also to give up the pleasure and the advantage it gives us. The sinner who desires God's forgiveness must abandon his attitude of rebellion against the Lord and change his way of life. The Bible says that true repentance is the result of "sadness according to God", it teaches us that God's love for us can produce repentance in our hearts.

2 Corinthians 7.10 : "For God's sorrow produces repentance to salvation, of which we never repent, while the sadness of the world brings death."

Repentance is the will to follow the way of God, it is never easy. She is pushed by the Holy Spirit. This is the first phase that is most important to receive the grace of God. It is not at the moment of repentance that we receive forgiveness, but when, being repented, we confess our faith in Christ: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. " (Romans 10.9) Thus, by this walk of the Holy Spirit, we will be led to the waters of baptism for the sake of the Lord.

Titus 2.14 : "Who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all unrighteousness, and to make himself a people that is his own, cleansed by him, and zealous for good works."

3-) How to repent ?

Matthew 6.6 : "But when you pray, enter your room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you."

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6.9) :

So here is how you should pray:

Our father in heavens,

Hallowed be thy name; may your kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread;

Forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who have offended us;

Do not induce us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For it is to you that reign, power, and glory belong in all ages. Amen !

Matthew 7.7 : "Ask, and they will give you, seek, and you will find, knock, and they will open to you, for whoever asks receives, whoever seeks finds, and opens to him who strikes ...."

Here is an example of a repentance prayer :

Lord, You have endured me all these years with my sins, but nevertheless You have had pity on me; I went astray in every way, but now I'm not going to sin anymore; I have wronged you and I have been unjust; I will not do it anymore; I renounce sin, I renounce the Demon, I renounce the iniquity that defiles my soul; free my soul from all that is against Your Holiness; I beg you, O Lord, to save me from all evil; come now, Jesus Christ, come now to dwell in my heart;

forgive me, Lord, and allow me to rest in you, for you are my Shield, my Redeemer and my Light, and in you I trust;

from today, I want to bless you all the time; I repudiate evil and all other false gods and idols, for you are the Most High above the world, the Creator of the universe.

By your mighty arm, save me from ill health, save me from captivity, save me from trouble and defeat my enemy the Demon; come quickly to my help, my Savior!

Amen !

Matthew 3.8: "Produce therefore fruit worthy of repentance ...."

Conclusion : repentance is a new Life, it refers above all to a change in behavior and way of thinking. The human being realizes his faults by renouncing them to adopt another attitude and a new perspective of life, in conformity with the will of God. It is a state of mind that depends on the righteousness of God in the renunciation of himself. The struggle against evil is a fight that is won in Christ, in our perseverance in the Word of God and our relationship with the Lord. The simplicity of the Gospel is always seeking the presence of God by giving him his life and trusting him. God saves us by his grace, no one can boast of his salvation as if saved by his own righteousness.

Ezekiel 18.30 : "Therefore I will judge you every man according to his ways, O house of Israel, says the Lord Yahweh: come back and turn aside from all your transgressions, so that iniquity does not cause your ruin. " Amen !