REPENTANCE

“Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance
[let your lives prove your change of heart].”
Matthew 3:8
The Amplified Bible

One of the most common themes throughout the Bible is repentance. The need for repentance is a result of human nature, our natural inclination to sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” What is sin? Sin is ‘missing the mark’ or the breaking of God’s standard (law). There is the sin of omission (not doing the things we should) and the sin of commission (doing the things we should not).
What is the proper response when we realize that we have missed the mark or sinned against God? Is being sorry or remorseful enough? To be sorry only means ‘to affect with sadness, cause grief, to throw into sorrow.’ You can be sorry that you got caught or sorry that now you must endure the consequences and repercussions of sin. Being sorry is a good start, but it is not sufficient.
Is an apology sufficient? The definition of apology is ‘a justification or defense of an act or idea; it can also be an expression of contrition and remorse for something done wrong.’ This is also where we get apologetics which means ‘to speak in defense of.’ Again, an apology is not an acceptable response to God for sin committed against him.
A person can say they are sorry or apologize and still never truly repent! True, godly repentance entails an acknowledgement of and sorrow for wrong (accepting responsibility for what we do or don’t do), and a conscious decision to do right accompanied by a change of heart, mind and direction. Repentance is the result of conviction (sin is admitted); contrition (sin is abhorred); and conversion (sin is abandoned). True repentance will result in a radical life change. There will be evidence, or fruit, that is consistent with the repentance. This simply means our actions will align with the righteous standard of God. Our lifestyle, speech and behavior are the proof if we have truly repented.
John the Baptist warned the scribes and Pharisees to repent and show forth evidence of their heart change. God is calling for true repentance, not religion. He not only wants us to be right, but righteous. In His mercy, He reveals and exposes sin not to condemn us but to give an opportunity to repent. Acts 3:19 says, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”