Changing your ways

August 31, 2023

Repentance is crucial to be born again in Christ. But what does the word mean according to the word of God, and how does one truly repent? Repentance for God's people is more than what's generally known.

Where to start
Jesus explained to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, that no one can see the kingdom of God without first being born again (John 3:3). The four steps to being born again are faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, and then receiving the Holy Spirit. To truly repent of sin, you must first understand your transgressions against God that you have previously been living in and repent, or change your mind regarding each of them (James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1). Furthermore, you must repent of the idea that you can save yourself, as it only takes one sin to be “guilty of all” (James 2:10).

What is sin?
Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). In total, sin is rebellion against God and His will. The penalty for any sin without a sacrifice is death (Romans 6:23). Repentance for believers in Christ is not regret or sorrow but a change of thought. Instead of living in sin, you admit that you have fallen short of God’s glory and you cannot save yourself. You have no way of offering propitiation to the Lord and so you seek mercy and forgiveness. You can be justified in God’s eyes by coming to faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). Subsequently, doing His will by the support of the Holy Spirit should be the highest regard in your born-again life (Matthew 7:21). You must also strive to do good works at every opportunity you have, as neglecting to do so is also sin (James 4:17).

Worldly attractions
Repentance includes sin and self-salvation, but also changing your mind on the things and activities you do in this world that are against God's will. Everything you do must be for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). Engaging in worldly entertainment such as concerts, bars, parties, clubs, sports games, secular television and movies, secular music, video games, and anything else related should be avoided in your born-again life as they pull you away from your walk with Christ. You are sternly warned in scripture that if you participate in the carnal things of this earth, then you are an enemy of God, and your love for Him is not genuine (1 John 2:15; James 4:4). Rather, you are called to do the will of God (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:17). You are warned of condemnation if you do not repent of engaging in the sinful attractions that this world has to offer (1 John 2:17; Luke 13:3). Ponder it, would you invite Jesus to a drinking party, a concert, or a club? Absolutely not! There will be no sports stadiums, parties, concerts, bars, Hollywood shows, or clubs in heaven or on the new earth. Heaven would be hell for you if you prefer these attractions and do not repent and seek the kingdom of God. Your new life walking with Christ will not be easy in this world. The path of salvation is narrow and straight, and very few in this world will find and follow that path (Matthew 7:14).

True changes
To truly repent is to change your mind on all things that are contrary to God's will. To help understand the sins of your past life, a good starting point is reading over the Ten Commandments and the two greatest commandments (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). If there are still unrepentant sins residing in you after getting saved, then those will be revealed to you by the Holy Spirit later in your walk and it is your responsibility to confess and repent of those sins when convicted (John 16:8; Matthew 3:8; Proverbs 28:13). A conviction is not a feeling, but a conscience thought that leads one to change their ways. Willful and continuous disobedience to God could put your salvation at jeopardy (Hebrews 10:26; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Genesis 6:3).