“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?
Ezekiel 18:21-23 4
WHAT IS REPENTENCE?
According to the Oxford dictionary repentance (for something) is the fact of showing that you are sorry for something wrong that you have done. However, when we are in repentance for our sins:
- Is it just about showing that you are sorry for something wrong and asking for forgiveness?
- Or is there something deeper going on?
Many people view repentance as a process of praying for forgiveness every time they commit a sin. While that is certainly a part of it, biblical repentance involves much more than simply asking for forgiveness. True repentance, as described in the Bible, has deep inner transformation that leads to a changed way of thinking, feeling, and acting in response to sin.
REPENTENCE IS A RENEWAL PROCESS
It is a process of reconciliation with the Most High, a sincere commitment to live according to His ways, and a pursuit of holiness in response to His great mercy.
Biblically repentance is not just about asking for forgiveness but involves heartfelt sorrow for having committed sin. It means genuinely feeling regret for wrongdoings and recognizing the harm caused, both to oneself and to others.
- True repentance is not just about asking for forgiveness, but a complete turning away from sin and a sincere commitment to not repeat it.
- It begins with a humble acknowledgment of our wrongdoings before the Most High (YHWH), recognizing the harm caused by our actions and owning up to our choices.
- Repentance involves a deep inner transformation—a renewal of the heart and mind that leads us to genuinely turn toward YHWH, seeking to learn of Him in truth and to align our lives with His will.
If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
This process requires humbling ourselves, setting aside pride and self-justification, and embracing the conviction that we feel.
Only by the Most High’s grace can we be forgiven and restored!
Through repentance, we seek more than forgiveness; we desire renewal, a heart that wants to please Heavenly Father and a mind that is aligned with His truth, not ours.
UNDERSTANDING REPENTENCE
Sin separates us from the Most High and His plan for our lives. It creates a barrier that hinders our ability to fully experience the peace, joy, and fulfillment that come from living in alignment with YHWH’s will.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” – Proverbs 3:5-7
Repentance is working towards becoming more like the Messiah, growing in our faith, and living in truth. True repentance is a process, the renewal of our hearts and minds, not a one-time event. It is a time when we are constantly evaluating our thoughts and actions, and making changes when we need to.
Here is the thing – repentance is not something to be afraid of or dread. It is a beautiful gift from the Most High. It is an opportunity for us to draw nearer to Him, to experience His love and grace on a profound level. This is a time for transformation, that will shape us into the individuals He intended us to be.
A CHANGE OF HEART AND MIND
Wherefore the Lord said, Inasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: – Isaiah 29:13
When we talk about repentance, it is easy to think of it as just saying sorry for our sins and moving on. But true repentance goes much deeper than that. It Is not just a surface-level apology, but a complete change of heart and mind. Repentance is about recognizing our sinfulness and turning away from it. To acknowledge that we have fallen short of YHWH standards and commit to living a life that honors Him. This requires us to feel remorse for our behaviors and to actively work towards living in a way that reflects Our Father’s love and grace. Changing our hearts and minds requires us to place the will of the Most High above all else by letting go of our old ways and adopting a new way of thinking and living. That means letting go of our pride, selfishness, and greed.
Genuine repentance requires introspection of our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. This process can be emotional and often painful, demanding that we face our shortcomings (sins) with honesty. However, repentance is ultimately a liberating experience. When we seek forgiveness and turn to Our Father, we open ourselves to the gifts of restoration and healing.
YHWH’S FORGIVENESS AND GRACE
The embracing of the Almighty Father’s forgiveness and grace is truly remarkable. Seriously, think about it – the Creator of all things has offered us forgiveness for all the wrongs we have done. That is pretty huge.
So, what does it mean to embrace the Most High’s forgiveness and grace?
Well, first things first, we have to understand that we do not deserve it. We have all messed up, made mistakes, and fallen short of the Most High’s commandments. But despite all of that, He still loves us and offers us forgiveness through His grace.
Accepting the forgiveness of the Most High involves acknowledging that we have been forgiven. This means releasing any guilt or shame that surrounds our past. It is an understanding that Our Father’s grace exceeds any wrongdoing we may have committed.
Our Father’s forgiveness does not mean we can do whatever we want. Think about it for a moment: imagine telling your parent or loved one that you would no longer disrespect them but then, you turn around and slap them in the face.. ouch! How do you think your parent or loved one would feel? What would they think of you? In fact, how would you feel if you were on the receiving end of that slap?
The Heavenly Father is loving and forgiving but he disapproves of hypocrisy.
This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…” – Mark 7:6-8
YHWH cannot be compared to a human; He is above us all. When we come to Him in repentance and make promises to move away from our sins, we should do it wholeheartedly. No excuses, or looking towards others to validate why we should not honor our commitments to the Most High. When we truly embrace His forgiveness and grace, it should lead us to a place of gratitude and humility. We should approach the situation with a humble heart, recognizing that we are undeserving of His mercy.
His grace is endless and His love is unconditional. All we have to do is accept it and live in a way that reflects that love. So, if you are struggling to embrace His forgiveness and grace, take a moment to reflect on all the ways He has shown you mercy in the past. Most importantly, do not be afraid to come to the Almighty Father with a repentant heart.
Let the Almighty Father’s love and forgiveness transform your life and lead you on a path toward true repentance and reconciliation with Him.
