Repentance is Fundamental

In May of 1948 Al Johnson was one of three men who robbed a bank of $1000 in Hoyt, Kansas. He was only 19 years old at the time.

A few weeks later three men were killed in car accident in a nearby town and the police decided they were the men in the robbery. Case closed. But the authorities were mistaken.

In the ensuing years Al Johnson became a devout follower of Christ. But the guilt of the bank robbery ate at his conscience.

On Sunday morning Johnson went before his congregation and confessed his role in the crime. He revealed that he had already gone to the District Attorney with this information. Furthermore he borrowed the funds to repay the bank for the stolen money.

Johnson said he couldn’t live with this secret any longer. He said that he had to give himself up.

Al Johnson learned something that many folks fail to see about sin. Some hide their sins to avoid either embarrassment or the consequences of their actions. But God calls us to a higher level of living. It’s called repentance.

Repentance is fundamental to our faith.

When John the forerunner to the Messiah began his ministry the Bible says he came saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2).

In a similar way Jesus preaching began with the call to “repent” (Matt. 4:17). He further said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Lk. 13:3). Following His resurrection, Jesus’ told the apostles that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name in all nations beginning at Jerusalem (Lk. 24:47).

In that Jerusalem message, when the people were cut to the heart and convicted of their sins, they cried, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” Peter’s first word was “Repent” (Ax. 2:38)

When Simon who had been a sorcerer was converted in Samaria but quickly fell into sin, Phillip the evangelist sternly admonished him to “repent of your wickedness” (Ax. 8:22).

In his book I Surrender, Patrick Morley opines that the church’s integrity problem is in the misconception “that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior.” He adds that “It is revival without reformation, without repentance.”

Repentance is a change of mind and heart that issues itself in a change of attitude and actions. It means to turn around. To change directions.

Repentance is the recognition of sin and its seriousness. It begins with an admission of guilt. When confronted with the reality of his wrong doing, King David simply said, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Sam. 12:13).

Repentance is induced by remorse. The Bible says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Cor 7:10). There is a huge difference for being sorry for our sins, and feeling sorry that we got caught! Suffered embarrassment. Or lost position, prestige, or income.

Repentance leads to resolve. It is a resolution to right a wrong. When the lost son in Jesus’ parable “came to himself” (Lk. 15:17) he decided to make things right. To go home. To confess sin. And accept the consequences.

Repentance issues itself in reformation. The fruits of repentance are realized in a reformed life (Lk. 3:8). A changed life. A different life. A new life. A change both inside and outside.

Repentance, when possible, results in restitution. In making amends. In repairing damages. In restoring what is right. This was the spirit Zachaccus, the tax collector, had when he told Jesus, “If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold” (Lk. 19:8).

Repentance produces rejoicing. When we really repent, we will feel joyful. Real repentance results in restoration. Renewal. And revival. Sins are remitted. Relationships are repaired. Spiritual regeneration is received. When David repented he felt the joy of his salvation had returned (PS. 51:12).

Ezra Taft Benson was right when he wrote, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built.”

Thus, let us hear and heed the counsel of the wise man who said, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Prov. 28:13).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman