Why Repentance Is Necessary
Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3,5 NKJV).
Jesus made this statement in verse 3 and then repeated it in verse five. That makes it doubly sure.
Later He told of a rich man who died and was surprised to be tormented in the fires of hell (Luke 16:23-26). Jesus quoted that man, speaking from hell, begging that his five brothers be warned, “lest they also come to this place of torment” (Luke 16:27). Verse 30 quotes the rich man’s assumption that if someone went from the dead to warn his brothers “they will repent.” He realized too late (for him) that repentance was required to miss hell. Remember, Jesus is telling this story, a true story.
Consider other references to repentance. The message of John the Baptist was: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus began His first recorded sermon with those same words (Matthew 4:17). Peter concluded his sermon on the Day of Pentecost with “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, …” (Acts 2:38).
So what does it mean to repent? The word “repent” literally means to change one’s mind and direction, specifically concerning God, Jesus, sin, and righteousness.
In the Garden of Eden, God had said, “… the day you eat of it [i.e., of the forbidden tree] you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and died, not physically or mentally, but spiritually. They were cut off from God and with them the whole human race. Paul said, “… in Adam all die, …”(I Corinthians 15:2). We are all sinners by nature and by choice. “All have sinned, …” (Romans 3:23). “The wages (results) of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23). -not just in eternity, but sin makes us spiritually dead now. Paul explained it this way, “You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” (Ephesians 2:1, essentially repeated in verse 5).
How then can a person who is spiritually dead repent? It is impossible without God’s help. Jesus said, “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will” (John 5:21). Before a person is saved he is dead to God. However, when the gospel of Jesus Christ is presented to that dead lost person, his soul is awakened by the Holy Spirit and convicted of sin. He sees his sinfulness and Jesus Christ as Savior. In that spiritual awakening that lost person’s will is activated. Repentance, then, is the decision by a spiritually awakened soul to agree with God about sin, and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Consider some Bible examples of this awakening. The prodigal son was in the pigpen when it says, “… he came to himself…” (Luke 15:17). Saul of Tarsus was on the road to Damascus to kill Christians. God used the previous witness of Stephen to Jesus Christ to “awaken” Saul (Acts 7:54-60). “…Suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ ” (Acts 9:3-4). Saul was blind for three days before he had his eyes opened, received the Holy Spirit, and was baptized (Acts 9:17).
Biblical repentance includes saving faith. You can’t have one without the other. When an awakened soul sees Jesus, he also sees his sinfulness and condemnation. Repentance is the brokenness of conviction, and faith is the joy of receiving Jesus and forgiveness. Repentance is also a continuing experience. The more we know of God’s holiness and His word, the more we are motivated to express a repentant attitude and willingness to let God continue to make us more like Jesus Christ. God sent Paul “To open their eyes in order to turn them from darkness to light, …” (Acts 26:18).
Repentance that does not result in a changed life is not biblical repentance. Have you repented?
“Behold the Lamb of God [Jesus], who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29)!
Repent today and trust Jesus to transform your life. He will! Amen.