Repentance

 

What is the definition of repent?

“To change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins” – Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." [For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.] - 2 Corinthians 7:10  

We are not to continue in sin, every day repenting and continuing to sin. One person said of repentance, “It is a change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, that leads to a change in actions. This change involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.”

Apostle Paul said,

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" [Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?] - Romans 6:1-2 

When Jesus healed the man that had been sick for thirty-eight years He told him, Now you are well; so stop sinning:

"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more..." - John 5:14

Jesus told the woman taken in adultery, go and sin no more:

"And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." - John 8:11

In the Great Commission in Luke, Jesus spoke of repentance:

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." - Luke 24:46-47

In Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached repentance:

"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." - Acts 2:38

(Photo from Exploring God's Word Bible study)