Jesus Christ at 30 years old, would begin His God-given purpose by proclaiming the good news around the sea of Galilee. The very first words that He would publicly preach as recorded by the Gospel accounts of Matthew and Mark reads as such: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15). And if you have been with us in studying the message of Christ to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, you might have noticed that this word was repeated 6 times in those two chapters (2&3) underscoring its importance. And today, the message of the good news as preached by Christ must as such begin with proclaiming this repentance. Thomas Watson, an 17th century English Puritan preacher would say as such: “The two great graces essential to a saint in this life, are faith and repentance. These are the two wings by which he flies to heaven. Faith and repentance preserve the spiritual life—as heat and water preserve the physical life.” So repentance really begins in the undoubting confidence in the importance of the command, in the One who began His message leading to life with this very word: REPENT!

But what does the word repent really mean? Is it just existing in abstract thought and emotions? Is it found in our actions? How does it entwine with our saving faith? Well, the Bible touches upon all these facets of repentance in its holistic message. The Greek word Metanoeo for repentance simply means a change of mind. Like the man who has just received a medical report after his heart attack that he needs to exercise and change his lifestyle if this is to be prevented again. This man who once found himself lazy (or busy) to exercise is now convinced to make time for it. In the gospel’s terms this sobering report would read: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Repentance therefore begins with us acknowledging our sinfulness before God. It begins with us coming to terms with the solemn truth of Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And while in the old testament this message of repentance (turning away) always came through the prophets, it now comes through Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). The old testament prophets always preached a fiery message of doom and gloom (showing Israel their sins and pronouncing God’s judgement upon them) often followed with a latter promise (hope) of restoration and glory – pointing to the new covenant Savior to come. And God now speaks in the same way through Christ, who preached on hell, judgement and righteousness extensively all pointing to Himself and His finished work on the cross. Even teaching it as one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit to convict us in these areas (John 16:8), who also has come to solely glorify Christ (soli deo Gloria) through us (John 16:14). Thus, in every proclamation of repentance, whether of old or today, it must always point to Christ.

Repentance itself in a believer’s life can sound like a covert, abstract or personal affair. Existing purely in the thoughts of a believer. To some extent it is, with Paul terming the judgement of God through Christ of the secrets of men (Romans 2:15-16). It is as if the intricate gears of the human mind that drive a man’s life have suddenly started to spin in the opposite direction. We might not necessarily see the gear’s spinning, but we can perceive it by the direction he is heading in. Like a car’s gear system engaged in drive that can only go forward and not in reverse. Repentance as we previously read is a change of mind. An after-thought (meta-noeo) that leads us to deeply ponder on our every glancing or deep thought, uttered words and the nature and intent of our actions. But what must immediately follow true repentance will then serve as a outer witness to this inner transformation.

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. – Luke 15:7