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Repentance Changes Things

by Gary Fisher

JOHN THE BAPTIST'S FIRST recorded word was: '' Repent'' (Matthew 3:2). Eight times in the brief records of John's preaching, the words, "repent" or "repentance" are used. John can surely show us what repentance means. The first men­tion of John is in Isaiah 40:3-5. There John's work is described as changing things: clearing the wilderness, smoothing a highway, raising valleys, lowering hills, and leveling rough ground. Later, in Malachi 4:5-6, the physical details of Isaiah's prophecy are applied to changing people's hearts and lives. The gospel accounts leave no doubt that John preached change. He told the Phari­sees to bring forth fruit in keeping with their repentance (Matthew 3:8).

He told the multitudes to change their stingy selfishness and the tax-gatherers to quit extorting unlawful revenue (Luke 3:10-14). John even told Herod to change wives because it was not lawful for him to have Herodias (Mark 6:17-18). John obviously taught a repentance that changes things.

What Must Change

Fundamentally, repentance means a change of mind and will. It is a decision one makes. But when repen­tance occurs, changes in life and action must follow. Paul preached to the Gentiles "that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance'' (Acts 26:20). Repentance requires two basic life changes. First, when one repents, he must quit sinning. Ezekiel 18:30-31 con­nects repentance with turning away from transgressions. New Testament passages frequently speak of dying to sin and putting off the old man (Colossians 3). Jesus compares repen­tance to amputation (Mark 9:43-48). Repentance means decisively renouncing sin. An unchanged life shows that there has been no repen­tance.

Second, when one repents, he begins to do right. Ezekiel 18:21-23 shows the repenting man turning from transgressions in order to prac­tice justice and righteousness. The New Testament speaks of a new life and putting on the new man. The church at Ephesus was warned to "repent and do the deeds you did at first" (Revelation 2:5). Repentance does not merely turn a man from sin, it also turns him to righteousness. When we repent, we lay aside lying and speak truth; we steal no longer, but work to share with others; we quit speaking corruptly and start speaking for edification; we put away all bitterness and wrath and become kind and forgiving (Ephesians 4:25-32). Those who view repentance totally negatively (putting off sin) are missing an essential part of the repentance process. Jesus warned of the severe consequences of casting the evil out of one's life, but failing to replace it with good (Matthew 12:43-45).

Overcoming Obstacles

Knowing that God commands everyone to repent (Acts 17:30), that repentance leads to life (Acts 11:18), and that the unrepentant will perish (Luke 13:3), Satan has a keen interest in preventing repentance. Even if he cannot stop the sorrow and the resolve of repentance, he will hinder one from changing his life. What obstacles does Satan place in the way of repentance?

1. Painful consequences. Just as amputating a limb is painful, it hurts grievously to cut off sin. Sin weaves itself so thoroughly into the fabric of one's life that cutting it out means painfully crucifying oneself. When the Israelites had married foreign wives in Ezra 9-10, repentance meant putting them away. Repentance cost the Ephesians 50,000 silver pieces (Acts 19:19). Repentance cost Saul of Tarsus a successful and prestigious career as a Jewish rabbi. The cost of repentance is high and no discounts apply. Many look longingly toward repentance, but like the rich ruler, they sorrowfully are unwillingly to endure the pain of repentance.

2. Turning halfway. Real repen­tance demands a decisive change; but many are content with halfway measures. Paul warned us not to make provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14). Repentance is not complete until the deeds of the flesh are put to death (Romans 8:13). The Ephesians burned their sorcery books. Sin has such an enslaving and captivating effect on us, that every bridge must be burned if repentance is to be successful. Keeping sin within easy reach is foolish and frequently fatal.

3. Believing unnecessary. Satan tries to convince us that change is unnecessary. Many think that feel­ings of grief and guilt atone for sins. A stern sermon leaves them feeling purged without needing to actually change. Others believe that forgive­ness renders repentance unneces­sary. But forgiveness does not elimi­nate the need to follow through on repentance. Forgiveness of adultery, for example, does not give the right to continue in an unlawful marriage (Mark 10:11-12). Neither grief nor forgiveness eliminates the need to re­pent.

Be not deceived: Repentance must change things. 

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