Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In many evangelistic efforts persons are instructed and encouraged to be baptized, and to follow on to know The Lord, by trusting and obeying Him. But in some instances, prospective candidates for baptism are not instructed on how to repent. The baptismal pledge to do such and such things by God’s grace is good, but true repentance must always precede the changes that are to be wrought in one’s life.
True repentance does not only involve a confession of one’s sins, it also includes a definitive change of mind and direction, by which one chooses to allow the work and presence of The Holy Ghost to begin and continue for as long as life shall last.
The genuine behavioral changes that are the results of God’s work in the heart then continue non-stop, until the image of God is reflected radiantly in the one who has repented. But first though, we are to understand that repentance is something that we can come up with in and of ourselves.
Repentance is a gift from God to us, to bring us to a realization of sin, and a realization of our dire need of Christ. But mere human efforts, or semblances of repentance fall far short of the ideal. In fact, every single thing which pertains to our salvation is a gift, coming all wrapped up in One Person even The Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s read:
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
2nd Timothy 2: 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2nd Corinthians 7: 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Romans 2:4 Do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Fallen human nature does not have it within itself to repent, according to the Bible’s definition, for it is a gift from God, which is then appropriated to one’s self. Human nature naturally tends to hide faults or sins, and will often seek to lay the responsibility for one’s sin at another’s doorstep.
After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves in the garden; they didn’t repent, up front, not merely because they did not want to, but because, without The Lord they could not. That is why God had to go looking for them, with His sacrifice, repentance, and forgiveness in hand, to initiate the process of true repentance.
But if it was left solely up to them, they would have never repented, because human nature cannot, in any way generate true repentance. We might feel sorrow and remorse for the results of sinful deeds, but for us to repent of those sins in and of ourselves is way beyond our natural ability.
In fact, we often get the two things mixed up where on the one hand there may be regret for the wrong course of action taken, and the adverse results that follow. This is quite different from godly sorrow for sin, which is granted as a gift from God, and which causes a person to be sorry for violating God’s law, which ultimately caused Christ to die on the tree. The two are entirely different.
Sorrow for the mere deed is often manifested in a frenzied interest to have the adverse consequences reversed as quickly as possible. But godly sorrow for sin, which is a gift from God, focuses on the wounds and the damage done to the relationship with God.
In fact, when persons repent after the godly sort, they usually do not seek to avert any of the adverse consequences that accrue; instead, they manifest a willingness to bear them.
When the thief on the cross was experiencing the true repentance that the Bible speaks of, he did not ask Christ to reverse the death sentence that was due. On the contrary, he admitted that justice was being served in his case for the wrongs committed.
Then, he looked forward to the future, asking Christ to remember him when He comes, which of course by implication means an appeal for God’s mercy, since that’s the only way that he could be saved in God’s kingdom, after doing as he had done. Let’s read:
Luke 23: 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into thy kingdom.
Here again is the same manifestation of repentance after the godly sort, for when one admits that he or she is treated fairly when justice for some wrong is served, that demonstrates that they view the law of God as being just and right, which then makes God’s mercy a viable option, for mercy isn’t needed where there is no admission of guilt.
When David sinned by numbering the people, that plague which followed was cause for great concern in David’s mind, for as far as he was concerned, the judgments should have fallen upon himself and his family, for he took full responsibility for his actions, together with any adverse consequences that God would see fit to mete out. Let’s read:
1st Chronicles 21:16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17 And David said unto God isn’t it I who commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
As both Adam and Eve reflected upon the deed that was done, bitter recriminations, and bickering took place, as they blamed each other for the errors that brought them down to their present, unfortunate state. But as far as true repentance goes without an intervention by God, that would be furthest thing from their minds. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 57] Adam reproached his companion for her folly in leaving his side, and permitting herself to be deceived by the serpent. Adam could neither deny nor excuse his sin; but instead of manifesting penitence, he endeavored to cast the blame upon his wife, and thus upon God Himself.
This brings us to the very first instruction on how one is to appropriate God’s gift of repentance, when sins have been committed. The first step in true repentance is to take full responsibility for our actions, even if we were persuaded and encouraged by others to do wrong. Circumstances, and the hereditary factors are not to be blamed, and neither is the devil, for persons often blame him wrongfully for things, which, in some cases, he had nothing to do with directly.
It is true that the maid in question had irritated Peter and it is true, that if he wasn’t pressed on the matter, he may have kept his cool. However, circumstances are not to be blamed for us blowing a fuse, for the short circuit takes place internally, not externally. Therefore, as Peter went out and wept bitterly, there was no one else to point to, but himself.
Again, in David’s repentance, we observe that he takes full responsibility for his actions. He didn’t seek to blame Bathsheba for having a bath outside neither did he blame the heat of the moment, as some of us often do. Any and every contributing factor which led to his downfall is laid aside as he places the full responsibility at his front door.
Even when he mentioned the issues of heredity, he still comes back to the fact that no one had forced him to do what he had done. It was of his own volition and decision why he had fallen. Let’s read:
Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that You might be justified when You speak, and be clear when You judge.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Another important aspect of godly repentance is that of confessing our sins. However, there is a huge difference in Biblical confession, and a mere statement of the facts. This aspect of repentance needs to be understood by all, for there may be many instances where a statement of facts is misconstrued as being confessing our sins.
There are three instances given in the Bible that can shed great light on the issue of confession. David, Achan, and Judas all confessed their sins when cornered, but David’s confession was after the godly sort, whereas Achan’s and Judas’ were a mere statement of facts, without any true sorrow for sin accompanying their confession.
In fact, it really matters not if a person is cornered or not; the determining factor is whether the confession and the repentance came from God, or whether it is originating with man. The gift of repentance with confession is given to all, but it rests with the individual to accept or reject it.
This is what determines the outcome. In addition, it’s quite possible for persons to confess their sins under pressure, and yet it can be genuinely after the godly sort. Let’s read:
Joshua 7:10 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore do you lay thus upon thy face?
11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
14 In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the Lord shall take shall come by households; and the household which the Lord shall take shall come man by man.
Question: Why wait until the morning?
Answer: During the night, God would grant the same gift of repentance to and his household, and what he does with it will determine the outcome. Like the thief on the cross, he may have to suffer the adverse consequences, since thirty-six men had lost their lives on account of his sin. Yet, he and his entire household could still be saved in God’s kingdom.
Like as it was with David, a special interference from God would disturb Achan’s conscience that night, before he is cornered, and his response to God’s work on his heart is what will ultimately determine his eternal destiny.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 497] Achan acknowledged his guilt, but when it was too late for the confession to benefit himself. He had seen the armies of Israel return from Ai defeated and disheartened; yet he did not come forward and confess his sin.
He had seen Joshua and the elders of Israel bowed to the earth in grief too great for words. Had he then made confession, he would have given some proof of true penitence; but he still kept silence. He had listened to the proclamation that a great crime had been committed, and had even heard its character definitely stated. But his lips were sealed.
Then came the solemn investigation. How his soul thrilled with terror as he saw his tribe pointed out, then his family and his household! But still he uttered no confession, until the finger of God was placed upon him. Then, when his sin could no longer be concealed, he admitted the truth.
Joshua 7:16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
17 And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:
18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done.
21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.
Like Achan, David also tried to cover up his sins. Achan hid the Babylonish garment, with the shekels of gold and silver in his tent, and David tries unsuccessfully, to drug Uriah, so that the adulterous deed could remain a secret, or so he thought. A whole year passes by, David marries Bathsheba, and everything seems to be kept under wraps until God sends Nathan to corner David.
When David is confronted by Nathan, he confesses his sin, when Achan is confronted by Joshua he confesses his sin, and thus the obvious looming question is “what’s the difference? Why, in one instance one is forgiven, and in another instance one’s confession is rejected? Let’s read:
2nd Samuel 12:1 And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up…..
4 And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord lives, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus, saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
Before folks get all riled up at what might seem to some as a disconnect in God’s justice and mercy, in sparing and forgiving David, while taking out Achan, we must remember those words God uttered in the case of Achan: “In the Morning”
The same is true of Judas, whose day of grace was extended on numerous occasions, as God’s gift of repentance was offered through Christ. Judas did not appropriate the gift when it would have made all the difference in his after history.
He delayed and avoided the probing of God which had revealed his true character and he continued to deny the fact that the assessments given by Christ were true or pertained to him. Thus, when he was finally ready to confess his sin it had become a mere statement of facts, rather than the utterances of a truly penitent heart. Let’s read:
[The Desire of Ages pp 295] In His teaching, Jesus dwelt upon principles of benevolence that struck at the very root of covetousness. He presented before Judas the heinous character of greed, and many a time the disciple realized that his character had been portrayed, and his sin pointed out. But he would not confess and forsake his unrighteousness. Lesson after lesson fell unheeded on the ears of Judas
Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood…..
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
On this point, let us understand this one thing, that the true repentance that comes from God has never ever led any person to commit suicide. No, not one, throughout the entire history of this earth. When a person accepts the gift of repentance it will always lead to life, because Christ came to give us life much more abundantly.
The final point in understanding in how to repent is the fact that true repentance does not, as a general rule produce repeat offenders, for when one is truly sorry for doing something, they would try to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Especially is this the case, when God’s enabling power is granted to all who believe.
There is a sin that’s not unto death and even though persons may slip up at times, yet, godly repentance always puts persons on a general upward trajectory. After Peter and the other disciples repented of their sins, there was a dramatic, and a marked change in their deportment, mannerisms, and words.
The former things which defined the old man are to be resolutely put away, and in cooperation with The Holy Spirit a brand, new outlook and perspective on life begins to be manifest. It is not so much about the doing, but about being in Christ, for when one repents after the godly sort, everyone will know.
This message is particularly pertinent to Laodicea, in which is to be found in too many instances a pseudo form of repentance, which incorporates vestiges of the old man with the new, to form a hybrid which God neither recognizes or endorses.
Very often, elements of the old man are brought over into the new life, and this produces a constant chomping at the bits to say and to do things that are contrary to scripture.
What should be of grave concern to us, is the fact that the longer we remain in that state of spiritual limbo, the more comfortable we become in it, and after a while the deep, searching truths of God will make little, to no impression on the mind.
Therefore, an urgent call goes forth from the mouth of the True Witness, for us to consider our ways, for we cannot move forward, by having one foot in the church, and one in the world. Definite changes will have to be made, starting by acknowledging Christ’s assessments in Revelation chapter three, as being correct, and applicable to us personally. Let’s read:
Revelation 3: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Our repentance must of necessity be after the godly sort, the one that comes as a gift from God, which, when it is appropriated, will produce those changes that would make persons take knowledge that we have been with Jesus. Several passages of scripture allude to those needed changes, so that everyone may know how to repent. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
James 4:4 “know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”
To be a “friend of the world” is to allow the spirit of the world to govern what folks do, think, and say. It means incorporating its values, its philosophies, and trends into our practice, so that those who have not yet believed, cannot tell the difference between a true Christian, and a worldling.
Indeed, the line of demarcation between the world, and the believer is becoming increasingly blurred as some adopt the prevailing concepts and practices in the secular realm. But true repentance, that is after the godly sort, produces a very stark difference and great change in those who allow God to do His work in the heart on a continuum. Let’s read:
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[The Desire of Ages pp 821] The apostles and their associates were unlettered men, yet through the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, their speech, whether in their own or a foreign language, became pure, simple, and accurate both in word and in accent.
Thus, as Laodiceans living in an age where so much is pitted against righteousness, let us take stock of ourselves by the grace of God to see if we may have inadvertently slipped from our first love, into that condition of luke-warmness, by which the essentials of the Christian life have become more of a drab, format rather than a living breathing experience.
Is it still a joy to serve God, or do we go through the motions just because it is the right thing to do? Do we take pleasure in seeking His face, with that same yearning and expectancy, which had characterized our earlier experiences when we were just baptized, or has the Christian experience become devoid of joy and service?
These are just some of the questions we will have to ask ourselves as we consider the prospect that the True Witness of Revelation chapter 3 might actually be speaking to you and me personally.
Thus, we will end with a passage of scripture which would encourage us to repent wherever necessary, so that an upward trajectory would be our very own experience each day. Let’s read:
2nd Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God Bless!