What is Biblical Repentance and How Does it Relate to Salvation?

A Bible Study on Biblical Repentance and How it Relates to Salvation

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Repentance can mean different things to different people but it’s extremely important to have a sound understanding of what the Bible teaches on the topic.

As a young adult wallowing in the dregs of sin, I’m so thankful that when I turned to God in repentance by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, He forgave me, purified me, saved me and made me holy in His sight.

The initial work of the Holy Spirit is to lead us into repentance resulting in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God is the source of repentance and salvation but it’s up to us to yield to His drawing.

The post below was written primarily by my dear friend and fellow worker in Christ Jesus who chose to remain anonymous. She is a beautiful woman of God, a wife and mother who has an insatiable desire for the things of God. I bless God for her life.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit Himself will speak specifically to you as you read through this post and meditate on the Scriptural references.

You are blessed.

Chizobam.

What is Repentance?

The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which means to change your mind about sin with an abhorrence (disgust, hatred) for it.

Importance of Repentance

God commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him. (Acts 17:30.) He sent Jesus into the world for this purpose and in Luke 5:31-32, Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus Himself preached repentance, calling on people to repent and believe in the Good News (gospel). (Mark 1:15, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 11:21, Matthew 12:41, Luke 13:3.) When He sent His disciples out two by two, they also preached repentance. (Mark 6:12.)

In Luke 15:7, Jesus tells us that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who REPENTS than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. Again, in Luke 15:10 …there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who REPENTS.

Repentance is important because it is the prerequisite for forgiveness of sins. After Jesus resurrected, He explained to His disciples that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name. (Luke 24:47.) Thus, Jesus offers forgiveness of sins only to those who come to Him with a repentant heart. A heart that thinks differently about sin accompanied by a hatred of it and a resolve to turn away from it and turn wholeheartedly to God.

Jesus’ Disciples Preached Repentance

Peter and the other disciples went about preaching repentance as a prerequisite for forgiveness of sins as taught by Jesus Christ.

In Acts 2:37-38, while Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, the crowd of listeners responded by asking him what they should do in response to what they had heard. The first thing Peter told them to do was to repent.

After Peter had healed the lame man through Christ, Peter told the crowd that gathered to repent and turn to God so that their sins may be wiped out. (Acts 3:19.)

In Acts 5:31, Peter and the apostles explained to the Jewish high council how God exalted Jesus at His right hand as Leader and Savior, so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.

Upon Peter’s report on the conversion of Cornelius, the council at Jerusalem began praising God because the apostles understood that God has granted Gentiles the privilege of repentance that leads to eternal life. (Acts 11:18.)

In Acts 20:21, Paul preached the same message. He testified to the Jews and Greeks that it was necessary to repent from sin, turn to God and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

How Should Sinners Respond?

Anyone who prayed the “sinner’s prayer” without understanding that he/she is a sinner and as a result, had no desire to repent from sin most likely went away unchanged. Even if people pray the “sinners prayer,” attend church faithfully, participate in all church engagements e.t.c., without a change of mind about sin and an accompanying desire to turn to God by placing their faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross for their sins. If they do not allow Jesus to be their Lord thus dictating how they should live their lives henceforth….they will still remain outside the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 7:21-23.)

Everyone born into this world is a sinner. (Romans 3:23, Psalm 51:5.) Only those who have repented (changed their mind about sin) and fled to Christ for refuge have gone from sinners to saints (holy people, set apart). (1Corinthians 1:2, Romans 1:7.)

A Call to Biblical Repentance

If you are reading this post and you recognize that you attend church faithfully and even participate in church activities or even work in church; but sin is your lifestyle. You determine what is right or wrong instead of God and you never stop to consider what God’s Word says about any area of your life. You sit on throne of your heart acting as God. God is calling you to repent. He does not want anyone to perish and spend eternity in hell but instead, wants everyone to repent. (2 Peter 3:9.)

We see in Romans 2:4-5 that the kindness God displayed by sending Jesus to the cross on our behalf is meant to lead us to repentance…change our minds about sin, hating it and turning wholeheartedly to Jesus for forgiveness of sins.

If this describes you, please do not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:16), instead heed the warning of Jesus in Matthew18:3…repent of your sins, turn to God and ask Him to forgive your sins. Profess faith in Christ’s death and resurrection for your sins. He in turn will forgive all your sins, give you a new and righteous nature that desires to please Him and empower you with His Holy Spirit to live for Him. (Acts 3:19.) Begin a habit of studying the Bible so can you grow in your knowledge of Him and learn how to live daily for God.

What if I Sin After Receiving Salvation?

So what happens if you blow it after salvation? What next? Should you throw in the towel and quit?

Of course not!!

Do not spend time wallowing in condemnation. (Romans 8:1.) Instead, repent, ask for forgiveness, accept God’s forgiveness and quickly get back on the “strait and narrow.” (Matthew 7:14.) If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and purify us from ALL unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9.)

As believers, we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s a gift of God (Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He doesn’t fling salvation at us, then take it back on a whim when we are naughty. The gift of salvation is not like a yo-yo tossed to and fro in the wind. If it were so, we will all be disqualified. As long as we are truly saved and continue to live our lives in Christ, Jesus Himself promised to keep us to the very end. (Hebrews 3:14, John 6:39-40, John 10:27-30.)

Conclusion

I pray for those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord and those who have been playing church to realize their need for a Savior through the work of the Holy Spirit. I pray that they will repent, ask God for forgiveness, accept the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, confess Him as Lord and live holy lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And I pray for all believers reading this post to be quick to repent, quick to forgive, quick to love and quick to run back to the “strait and narrow” path if they do stray. God is faithful and He is able to do it.

Amen!!!