Repentance

Repentance signals the beginning of a changed and godly life. It involves recognizing one's sinful way of life and making a conscious decision to change direction and begin living according to God's way as revealed in Scripture.

True repentance begins with God. Scripture states that God grants repentance and leads people toward it. The lesson therefore presents repentance not merely as a human emotion but as a spiritual gift and process made possible by God's intervention.

Repentance begins when a person sees the great difference between himself and God. The more clearly one recognizes God's righteousness and character, the more clearly he can see his own shortcomings.

Sin is the transgression of God's law, and the penalty for sin is death. Yet sin is deceptive. Human beings can become blinded to their own attitudes and actions until God opens the mind to see what is actually present.

The repentant individual therefore compares himself not with other people but with God. Human righteousness is inadequate as the standard. Repentance requires an honest recognition that the human heart can be deceitful and that even sincere human willpower cannot by itself create godly character.

Romans 7 describes the conflict between wanting to do right and repeatedly finding oneself unable to do so. This struggle helps reveal mankind's need for Jesus Christ and God's Holy Spirit.

The lesson explains that mankind was created morally neutral rather than inherently evil. Like Adam and Eve, however, human beings make sinful choices and become increasingly influenced by a world oriented against God's way.

Sin cuts people off from God, blinds them to their condition and changes the orientation of the mind. Repentance is therefore the bridge between the carnal mind and the spiritual mind.

Following repentance, the individual asks for forgiveness and is baptized. God's Holy Spirit then begins transforming or converting the mind from carnal to spiritual.

Repentance is not meant to produce only sadness. Genuine repentance carries the positive joy of knowing that sins can be fully forgiven and that a restored relationship with God is possible.

Psalm 51 provides one of Scripture's clearest examples. David acknowledges his sin, asks for mercy, seeks cleansing and asks God to create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him.

The lesson distinguishes godly sorrow from worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow is grief over having sinned against God and harming others, and it produces genuine repentance. Worldly sorrow focuses primarily on consequences, embarrassment, punishment or self-pity.

True repentance means more than feeling remorse. It is a deep desire to redirect one's whole approach to life—from selfishness, greed and self-centeredness toward mercy, generosity, love and outgoing concern.

Repentance also requires recognizing human helplessness. God must actively redirect and reshape the person's life through the Holy Spirit.

Initial repentance precedes baptism, but repentance does not end at baptism. It remains a lifelong process as the Christian grows in knowledge and becomes increasingly aware of attitudes and actions that must change.

Repentance does not mean immediate perfection. Converted Christians may still sin through weakness. When this occurs, they are to acknowledge the sin, repent, rely again on Christ's sacrifice and restore their relationship with God.

God's forgiveness is complete. The lesson emphasizes the promise that repented-of sins are removed “as far as the east is from the west.” Repentance therefore brings freedom from guilt, fear and the ultimate penalty of sin.

Scripture also warns against knowingly and permanently rejecting God's way after being fully enlightened. Yet anyone who genuinely desires repentance and turns to God may seek His mercy and forgiveness.

In summary, repentance is the process of changing from man's way to God's way—from selfishness to outgoing concern, from worldliness to godliness, and from a carnal mind to a mind increasingly shaped by the Holy Spirit.