Repentance means turning back towards God. It involves decisions and actions that lead to a change of direction–from going my own way to going God’s way. But sometimes there are obstacles that get in the way of repentance.
False Repentance
Read about Judas in:
(1) Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. (2) So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
(3) When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.
(4) “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” (5) So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
What happened?
(3) When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.
How did Judas feel after betraying Jesus?
(5) So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
How do we know Judas’ remorse or sorrow was worldly? What did Judas remorse cause him to do?
(10) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
What does worldly sorrow bring?
What does Godly sorrow bring?
How is repentance different to just feeling sad?
(1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Conviction is God’s way of making us aware of our sin so that we can turn away from it. Condemnation is the enemy’s way of pointing out our sin and making us feel like it’s impossible to turn away from it. What does the Bible say about condemnation?
True Repentance
Read about Zacchaeus in
(5) When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
(6) So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
(7) All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
(8) But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
(9) Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
What did Zacchaeus do to show he had repented?
(8) Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
What can we do to show that we have repented?
The Fruit of Repentance
(1) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
(2) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 Steps for Repentance
1. Recognize my mistakes against God and people (2 Corinthians 7:10)
(10) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2. Confess your sins (1 John 1:9, James 5:16)
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
(9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:16 (NIV)
(16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
3. Declare and enjoy Christ’s victory over sin and its effects on your life (Colossians 2:14-15)
(13) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
(14) having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
(15) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
How can we make repentance part of our daily lives?
Ask a Friend
Personally, what obstacles stand in the way of repentance?
Application
Is there something you can do to change and to show that you have changed? Ask God to help you in this. Read the following Psalm in which David repents from his sin.
(10) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
(11) Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
(12) Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
(13) Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
(14) Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. (15) Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
(16) You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
(17) My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Prayer Model
Lord Jesus, thank you for forgiving me. I have decided to turn away from sin and live the way that you want me to. I commit my life to you, and rejoice in your salvation!
Key Verse
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”
