Repentance in the Bible is a simple change of
mind. The object of repenting is believing, which tells us what we need
to change our mind about to be saved. Repentance is thinking differently about
whatever has been hindering you from coming to Christ to be saved. John
3:20, “For
every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light,
lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the
light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” Carefully
notice that the Bible doesn't say: “he
that turns from his sins” comes to the light; but rather, it says: “HE
THAT DOETH TRUTH” cometh to the light!
And again we read in 2nd Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” Please notice again that repentance is NOT FROM SINS, but it is “TO THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TRUTH.” Boy I love that!!! The man who repents toward God (Acts 20:21) has changed his mind, acknowledging THE TRUTH that he is a needy sinner, and is then saved by believing THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL!!! It is that simple dear friend.
The following Bible commentary on Luke 13:5 is by Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995):
In Luke 13:5 Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The context of this verse shows that they needed to repent or change their mind regarding punishment and sin. In this passage, Christ was talking to good people who believed that people suffered only because of their sins, and they concluded that those in Galilee whose blood Pilate mingled with sacrifices and those on whom the tower of Siloam fell were greater sinners because they died such horrible deaths. Jesus contradicts the thinking of these self-righteous people and tells them that they need to repent or change their mind and see themselves as sinners, too, or they will perish in their own self-righteousness. —Pastor Curtis Hutson, “Repentance: What Does The Bible Teach?”
Amen, Dr. Hutson is exactly right! The Lord wasn't telling them to repent of their sins (i.e., turn from their sins) to be saved; but rather, he was simply telling them that they are all needy sinners too, just like the people who were killed in tragic events.
“What right does any preacher have to make it HARD for people to go to Heaven, when the Lord did all the work and made it easy for us, and all we had to do was accept what He did for us? It's the gift of God; it's not of works, lest any man should boast. But get what he said: 'When ye had seen it, repented not afterward,' and you ought to underline this in your Bible then, 'that ye might believe him.' You see, you change your mind and put your faith in what Christ did for you.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, “Repentance In The New Testament”
Repentance is acknowledging THE TRUTH that you are a needy sinner in God's sight; and whosoever will put their faith in THE TRUTH (Gospel) that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, was buried, and three days later physically resurrected from the dead, is instantly and forever saved (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). It is that simple dear friend.
One of my favorite Bible teachers is Pastor Brad Strand in Texas. I recently purchased his 'The Strand Study Bible' (free .pdf version). I love it so much that I bought five of them! Three copies are used. Here is Brother Strand's commentary for our text passage from 2nd Corinthians 7:8...
Repentance may include “remorse” (made you sorry), but remorse is not repentance. If so, then Judas repented because he was remorseful over what he had done to Christ (Mt 27:3). You can weep over sin and even express great remorse, but until you “change your mind” as to who you are and who Christ is and agree with God (Mt 3:2), you have not repented biblically.
Repentance may include “sorrow” (you were made sorry), but sorrow for sin is not repentance. Hell is full or sorrow, but only for the consequences of sin. The rich man who died and went to Hell uttered not a word of sorrow for his sin, only sorrow for his pain (Lk 16:19-31). You can weep over sin and even express great regret, but until you “change your mind” as to who you are and who Christ is and agree with God, you have not repented biblically.
Repentance may include “conviction” (after a godly manner), but conviction is not repentance. If so, then Felix repented when he trembled before Paul (Acts 24:24-25). You may be convicted that you are a sinner and even admit that you are lost, but repentance is a two-sided coin. You not only have to “change your mind” as to who you are, you have to also “change your mind” as to who Christ is and call upon Him to be your Savior (Rom 10:9-13). Otherwise, you have not repented biblically.
SOURCE: Brad Strand, “The Strand Study Bible,” p. 1938
I am so thankful for Pastor Strand, that he is
one of few preachers today who gets repentance correct. Pastor Jack Hyles
(1926-2001), in a sermon titled “A
Vote For Preaching,” spoke in this
excerpt about the
false gospel of Lordship Salvation which is unfortunately being preached
from nearly every pulpit today. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!
Brother Strand writes this about the next verse from 2nd Corinthians 7:10...
This word (repentance) comes from a combination of two Greek words: (meta - meaning, “after”) and (noeo - meaning, “mind”). The word literally means, “to change ones mind; to perceive afterwards; to change what you believe and agree with God” (Mt 3:2).
Metanoeo is used 58 times in the New Testament. It is used three different ways:
- It is used 37 times concerning the lost.
- It is used 17 times concerning the saved.
- It is used 4 times concerning the lost during the Tribulation Period.
NOTE: True repentance has nothing to do with “turning from sin” and everything to do with “acknowledging one's sinfulness” (Jonah 3:5). Like the thief on the cross who simply acknowledged his sinfulness (Lk 23:39-43), the only part a person has in salvation is the beggar's part. If repentance means to “turn from sin and change one's life,” then did God sin when He repented (Jonah 3:10)? I think not. Telling a sinner that he must “turn from sin” before receiving salvation gives a false view of salvation, and is but another form of “works.” Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Repentance for salvation does not require a person to “clean himself up first” (i.e., “turn from his sin”).
THE ADAGE IS TRUE: You come to God as a sinner; you don't come to God as a “sinless” sinner.
SOURCE: Pastor Brad Strand, “The Strand Study Bible,” pp. 1938-1939
I cannot thank Pastor Strand enough for siding with and proclaiming THE TRUTH of God's inspired Word, and not just going along to get along with the common consensus nowadays (for the sake of acceptance by ministry peers), that turning from sin is required to be saved. Humbly said, I am so proud of Pastor Strand in the Lord. Those who seek the truth will find it. All of the preachers today who are going around perverting the Gospel of free grace, by embellishing it with unbiblical additions (e.g., “turn from your sins” to be saved), are pulling on the same rope as the Devil.
The only requirement to believe the Gospel is to know why you need to be saved? You need to know what you're being saved from. You are a guilty sinner, and so am I. Pastor Strand nailed it...
True repentance has nothing to do with “turning from sin” and everything to do with “acknowledging one's sinfulness” (Jonah 3:5). Like the thief on the cross who simply acknowledged his sinfulness (Lk 23:39-43), the only part a person has in salvation is the beggar's part.
SOURCE: Brad Strand, “The Strand Study Bible,” pp. 1938-1939
Amen and amen! Repentance has nothing to do with turning from your sinful ways to be saved, which would constitute works. The only thing that you and I contribute to our own salvation is the sin that made it necessary. Eternal life is a gift for the guilty, not a reward for the righteous. The only thing you need to turn from to be saved is your unbelief that in the past hindered you from coming by faith to the light of the truth of the Gospel to be saved. Thank you for your interest in my website ministry. To God alone be all the praise, credit and glory (John 15:5). God is faithful (1st Corinthians 1:9).
