In a day in which there seems to be tolerance for sin, but not for truth, it is a very unpopular message to call sinners to repentance. Maybe we have missed one of the main ingredients to salvation described in the Scriptures. From my study of the messages preached in the New Testament, repentance is the overwhelming theme. On the day of Pentecost, the revival began, not with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the upper room, but with the 3000 that repented and were baptized. The outpouring of the Spirit could have been just a great event; one of those special services in which all were blessed. We all have been in those anointed meetings, have we not? But the Church did not begin as a bless-me-club, but with the preaching of the Gospel and a general call to repentance.
This was not a new theme for the disciples. They had heard the message of repentance preached repeatedly by both John the Baptist and Jesus Himself. (Matthew 3:2 and 4:17) Repentance was interwoven into the parables that described the nature of the Kingdom of God. Jesus took back the veil of deception when he explained that just as the woman rejoices over finding her lost coin, so all the angels rejoice when a sinner comes to repentance. (15:7) There is a celebration in Heaven when one turns from his sin and humbles himself before the living God. Sin separates man from God and repentance is the “turning around” and returning to God for the forgiveness of sin.
As the Church grew and the Gospel was preached all over the Roman Empire, repentance was the main message preached. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was direct in pointing out, to the crowd that had gathered, that they were responsible for the death of Jesus. When sin was exposed, conviction settled over the people and they called out: “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter responded with: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:27-28) This message was repeated wherever the Gospel was preached. In Athens, Paul boldly told the intellectuals of his day: “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)
Repentance is changing your mind about sin. Before repentance, there is tolerance and justification. It is not deemed as being so bad, because it is what everyone is doing and believing. It is the “new normal” that justifies the progressive moving away from God and His Word. The Gospel is a call to “regress”, not “progress”. The prophet Joel called Israel to “rend their hearts” and “return” to the Lord. In doing so they would experience the steadfastness of God’s love and joy of their salvation. (Joel 2:12-27) The call to repentance is not a reprimand or condemnation, it is an act of mercy and grace. As we read in 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord…not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Sin brings condemnation and judgment, but repentance brings mercy and forgiveness.
It is not just unbelievers that need to repent. We all must repent. To the Churches described in Revelations, most all were called to repent; even those who excelled in doing good works. Repentance precedes revival. The responsibility for an outpouring of God’s Spirit on all flesh and the healing of the nations, fall on the Church. The Church must humble herself, pray and turn from her wicked ways. The Church must repent. It is a good thing and one we must pray for. Ask God to open your eyes to areas of your life you need to repent from; then humble yourself before Him to receive forgiveness and restoration.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Luke 15:7, 10; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22; 17:30; Revelations 2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19