The Doctrine of Repentance - Part 1

​The doctrine of repentance has become one of the foundational principles of Christianity that is skipped across the surface like skipping a rock across a pond.  In every conversion to Christianity, there are two parts: repentance and faith (Romans 10:9-10).  Both parts are necessary for a person to be born again.  Repentance is defined as a change of mind or change of purpose.  Applying this theologically means to turn from sin by changing the mind and purpose of one’s life (Acts 3:19-20; Acts 17:30).  Part of repenting is to abhor past sins.  To abhor means to loathe, regard with extreme dislike or distaste.  Repentance reflects hate toward sins committed.  Not having a hatred toward sin may reflect a lack of repentance or a heart turning back to its previous state of living in sin.  To be born again a person must turn away from their sins and turn to God (Proverbs 28:13).  Repentance is the beginning step of salvation.  John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and other people of God throughout the Bible preached the message of repentance.  This message is closest to God because the result brings His creation closer to Him.  God desires to see everyone repent and have a true relationship with Him, not only for eternity but here and now (2 Peter 3:9).  Sin separates and dominates while repentance humiliates and germinates.  Sin separates a person from God and dominates that person’s life.  Repentance should keep a person humble and allow the things of God to grow within that person.  Without a relationship with God on earth that person will not be with Him for eternity.  There are three elements of repentance: intellectual, emotional, and voluntary.  Each element is vital to repenting and having a true relationship with God.  The intellectual element is the change of view within the mind.  Sin is viewed as a personal guilt and transgression against God (Psalm 51:3-4).  The spiritual enemy of God uses the deception of calling this element condemnation (blame, pass sentence) rather than conviction (admission of truth by revealing error).  This element also changes the view of sin as a defilement and pollution of self.  Psalm 51:3-4 also displays God’s ability to condemn anyone who is found in sin due to His righteous judgment, but He uses conviction for people everywhere to understand their need for the salvation He offers by the truth being revealed.  This truth should lead to repentance (Romans 3:20).  When people know the intellectual element of repentance it begins the process of understanding the need for a savior due to the sin within their life.  Knowing what is wrong can be the beginning of taking the correct steps toward God.  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.  Without the heart-stirring toward a resolution of sin within one’s life, that person will remain the same.  This is the danger of inviting people to accept Jesus but not revealing the necessity of change in their lives (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).  Godly sorrow works for people to repent of their sins to receive salvation.  Salvation is not to be repented of or turned away from.  The sorrow of the world may make a person feel bad or guilty but it does not turn people away from the wages of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23).  The heart must break to realize the defect of sin within oneself to turn to Jesus Christ as the healer of the brokenhearted.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.