4. What is Repentance?

Our actions are generally in direct relationship to our convictions.

So, when we are told to repent, we also ought to understand well what this means.

What is repentance and why does God himself want that we should all come to repentance? (s. 2 Peter 3.9; Acts 17.30)

The word ”repentance” has the same meaning with ”regret”.

If someone has done something wrong or has done to somebody an injustice, and becomes however aware of this, then it could be that he might feel sorry and will ”regret” deep down, that is to say will have a deep feeling of regret or sorrow.

Many will say: ”It is nothing that I should change in my life. I didn’t steal anything, I didn’t kill anybody, I am a decent person who is high regarded and respected by his fellow men.”

However, at a more attentive self-consideration we will recognise that the fact of haven’t killed anybody is not sufficient in order to be a righteous person.
If we hurt our neighbour even with our words, this might have the effect of a sharp sword.
Which of us hasn’t been yet in the position to have done wrong to somebody, quite often even without being aware of? We had then gone ahead most confident, absolutely convinced of the own justice, but at the same time absolutely unknowing that the other one was suffering because of us.

The committing of injustice towards our neighbour is just one of the multiplicity of mistakes, evil deeds or sins, that we all commit.

The realisation of this situation will lead us to regret all transgressions that we committed in the course of time. We will wish of never doing these again!

However, what we will experience is that in spite of our endeavour and of the firm decision for change, we will have to suffer new defeats over and over again.
We will have the will, not also the power for change.

Referring to himself, the apostle Paul describes this true inner fight as follows:

”18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

(Romans 7.18-23)

How could there be found a solution to this lasting inability?

At the end of his concern, Paul expresses his gratitude in view of the answer to this conflictual state:

”24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(Romans 7.24,25)

Only Jesus Christ can lead us to success. He has the power over sin.

Our only chance is to believe this and live in complete faith in him.
Thus we will find out that our live will change in time.

It is the change happening after the will of God and taking place in the mind and in the heart.