​After discussing what repentance is and the need for repentance, one must discuss the process of repentance.  The process of repentance includes confessing sin, forsaking sin, and turning to God.  First is confessing sin.  To confess is defined as to agree with, to acknowledge, admit, or not to deny.  Each person must agree with God by acknowledging their wrongdoing, not denying their participation but admitting, and professing those sins to God in seeking forgiveness (1 John 1:9; James 5:16).  Confession humbles a person to know their need for someone greater.  The action of confession reflects the desire to cleanse oneself from the filthiness of sin (Proverbs 28:13; Psalm 32:5).  Next is forsaking sin.  To forsake is defined as to renounce, turn away from entirely, retreat from, leave behind, or give up.  Forsaking sin is vital to the Christian life because there is a high price to pay if a person chooses not to obey.  The price is eternal death in Hell (Romans 6:23).  When sin is viewed as deadly it should create a motivation to not only confess it to be delivered but to forsake it so the wages no longer are the seeds planted within one's life.  Confessing and forsaking sins go together with confession as the disposal and forsaking not returning (Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7).  God commands that all people go away from sin.  Those who have already turned to God are especially given the command to not go back (Proverbs 4:14-15).  This forsaking of sin begins with repentance but does not stop until the glorified body is received as the reward of endurance unto salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13).  Forsaking sin is truly tested when a Christian submits as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).  Lastly is turning to God.  Turning to God is the essence of replacing the sinful lifestyle that once dominated with a new mindset, a new nature, and a new way of living that reflects the cleansing that has taken place on the inside to honor God (Acts 3:19).  It is not enough to only turn away from sin but allow God’s presence to fill the void where sin once dominated.  The change of mind and purpose turns to God in obedience bringing a refreshing (James 4:8).  After confessing and forsaking sin, turning to God brings repentance to fulfillment.  It is the height of making the change from the old sinful nature to a new holy character (Acts 26:20; Psalm 68:20).  God’s Word displays that in turning to God there are requirements and promises as a result of the process.  When turning to God, sins are being forsaken by the cleansing of hands, purifying hearts, and turning the opposite direction of sin (James 4:8).  Simultaneously, as Christians turn to God by getting closer to Him, He gets closer to them because sin is no longer a wall creating a division (John 1:12).  The promise within this process is deliverance and victory from death, which is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23).  Turning to God gives the person power through faith.  Repentance requires this process to properly make the permanent turn from a sinful being to a clean and holy being.  This does not constitute sin will never be present again in one’s life, but a person who lives a life of submission to God is quick to repent for the sins committed (1 John 3:6).  Omitting any part of this process diminishes repentance to a religious formality.  May God’s people understand the process of repentance to live holy before Him.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​For review, without repentance, a person cannot have a relationship with God leaving that person separated in the present but also for eternity.  Those who do not repent of sin will face Hell as their eternal damnation and judgment.  This is the high price to pay for not taking repentance seriously in life (Matthew 25:33, 41, 46).  To be righteous reflects right standing with God (1 John 3:7; 5:18; Philippians 1:11).  Those who are not righteous practice lawlessness.  A lawless person does not desire to be regulated.  Repentance is the only way to have one’s name in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5; 21:27; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3).  Repentance is the only way to escape Hell through salvation.  Repentance affords forgiveness and salvation affords eternal life but those only come through Jesus Christ.  Jesus states that everyone must be born again to enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5, 7).  God will not destroy those who have repented for their sins and walk with Him daily in their salvation.  His promises to those who repent are life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).  Repentance is part of this conversion when applied with faith in Who Jesus is.  If a person chooses not to repent and be born again, they are denying receiving the free eternal gift of life God has for them (John 10:10; Romans 6:23).  Jesus has already paid the price for everyone’s conversion but repentance through faith is subject to each person’s choice for their life (John 3:16-21).  John 3:16-21 paints the picture of repentance in action but many overlook the heart of what is being said.  God made a plan of salvation for mankind to repent for the restoration of fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ, His Son.  Those who believe in Jesus and submit to the conviction of the Holy Spirit are converted through repentance and faith.  This sets them apart for everlasting life and a lack of condemnation.  Those who do not believe are already on their way to Hell and condemnation unless repentance takes place.  When those who believe and are converted come to the light they produce fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8; Galatians 5:22-23) while those who choose to not come to the light remain in darkness with their works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).  The need for repentance is great within the lives of every human being.  Without repentance, death is not only the eternal choice of residence but the dominating force being paid as the wages of sin (Romans 6:23) while on the earth.  With such a great need for repentance, why are so many people not being taught this eternal principle?  Why do so many people lack the heart to commit to such a requirement by God after they learn of repentance?  Why are so many people not ensuring their soul’s current and eternal position in God through Jesus Christ knowing the price of lawlessness is hell?  The answer is selfishness.  Repentance is based on humility and the realization of needing God.  When characteristics arise that oppose humility the realization of a need for God begins to lessen creating a stubborn, lawless person who would rather choose the pleasure of sin for a season than God for all eternity.  Humility should lead to repentance.  Repentance leads to life, wisdom, and forgiveness (Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 11:2; 2 Chronicles 7:14).  May people everywhere see their need for repentance and make the changes necessary to live for God.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.  

​As a review, there are three elements of repentance: intellectual, emotional, and voluntary.  The intellectual element is the change of view within the mind.  This element also changes the view of sin as a defilement and pollution of self.  The emotional element is a godly sorrow for sin.  The heart must stir in emotion that ushers in a desire to rid oneself of sin which defiles and pollutes.  The voluntary element is the exercise of free will to make the changes necessary in the direction of holiness and God’s presence.  Repentance that is coerced is not legitimate to God.  In regards to salvation, God will not override the choice of a person’s desires to not assault the freedom of each person.  This limits God to the response of the person when hearing the Word of God.  Repentance must be voluntary as a product of a heart ready to repent (2 Chronicles 7:14; Luke 15:18-19).  Without the voluntary will to repent the actions that take place are religious in methodology but are void of sincerity.  The heart is a key ingredient in two of the elements of repentance.  A changed heart and mind will be the fruit of true repentance.  Each of these elements is important to repentance.  All three produce the change necessary within a person to bring them closer to God as a true Christian.  Repentance is also not merit-based.  There are no magical punishments or good deeds that bring the fruit of repentance to one’s life.  Repentance requires the three elements, as previously mentioned, mixed with faith to bring the product of repentance.  Again, there are no acts of repentance but fruit of repentance.  Faith produces works from a love for and a relationship with God (James 2:17-26; Titus 1:16; 2:14; 3:8).  These verses display it is a life of faith-produced works, not repentance-produced works.  Repentance turns a person away from sin but faith and love for God produce a holy, clean life.  There are too many verses within the Bible referencing repentance for Christians to overlook this doctrine, skip across it, or think that there is no longer a need for such teaching.  Every person who has ever lived, currently living, or whoever will live needs repentance.  It is sin that brings death since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:3-19).  God is asking His people why they are choosing to not turn from their sins and are choosing to die (Ezekiel 18:31-32).  God desires for all of mankind to have life in Him (Ezekiel 18:21-22).  Having a relationship with God has been the original plan since the creation of Adam (Genesis 1:26; 2:8).  Having a heart that hates sin will motivate that person to not return or go near a sinful lifestyle again.  Without repentance, a person cannot have a relationship with God leaving that person separated in the present but also for eternity.  Those who do not repent of sin will face Hell as their eternal damnation and judgment. This is the high price to pay for not taking repentance seriously in life (Matthew 25:33, 41, 46).  The goats represent the people who chose to not be righteous but chose lawlessness.  To be righteous reflects right standing with God (1 John 3:7; 5:18; Philippians 1:11).  Those who are not righteous practice lawlessness.  A lawless person does not desire to be regulated.  Repentance is the only way to have one’s name in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5; 21:27; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3).  Repentance is the only way to escape Hell through salvation.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.