“Why do I need to repent?” some ask. “I believe in Jesus, and His grace covers my sin.”
I’ve been a believer in Jesus Christ for almost sixty years. I’ve sinned daily since then. By the grace of God, I’ve grown and had victories, yet, as long as we live in earthly bodies, we’ll struggle against sin.
Jesus began His ministry preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17 NIV). The Greek word for repent, metanoeó, means to think differently or have a change of mind.
Jesus calls everyone to repent from unbelief and trust Him for salvation. We turn from trusting in ourselves to trusting in Jesus and what He did on the cross. Once we belong to Jesus, we’re His forever, and nothing can take us away. We’re called as believers to deny self and follow Christ as His disciples. I wish this were a one-time decision, but it’s a daily choice.
Walking in repentance means that as I become aware of sin in my life, I confess and agree with Jesus that it’s wrong and ask Him to help me make a different choice. Then I choose self-denial and obedience. I have to do this continually, all day, every day.
Self-denial is a way of life. We’ll fight the temptation to sin until the day Jesus calls us home for eternity. We may have overcome certain sins, but there’s always a new one to face the next day.
God’s grace is an incredible gift. His grace forgives us when we don’t deserve it, and His mercy sets us free, even though we’ve earned damnation. I’ve heard some teach that because of grace, we don’t have to worry about repentance. But Scripture says otherwise. Repentance, for a Christian, isn’t about earning salvation. We’re His children forever. For us, repentance is about living a life that pleases and honors God.
Does grace mean it doesn’t matter what we do? When faced with this question, Paul, writer of much of the New Testament, wrote, “…Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?…Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:1-2; 12 NIV).
Ten reasons Christians should choose repentance day by day:
1. We love Jesus.
When we realize the height, depth, width, and breadth of Jesus’ love for us, we want to love Him in return. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15 NIV). Obedience is the most excellent way to return Jesus’ love. Our love for Him compels us to obey.
2. God calls us to holiness.
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, wrote, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:14-15 NIV).
Holiness means we’re to be set apart for God. We live for Him, not ourselves. To live holy lives, we must choose to follow God, not the world.
3. Following Jesus requires self-denial.
Anyone who wants to follow Jesus must walk in repentance, giving up selfish desires. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV).
We turn from selfishness to choose what pleases God.
4. Sin is always destructive.
God calls us to repent because sin leads to pain mentally, physically, and spiritually. Indulging may feel suitable for a time, but anything sinful is not God’s will for us and will be harmful in some way. Our sin will cost us.
His grace covers us, and He promises that when we confess our sins, He forgives us and cleanses us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). But He also spoke through Paul to tell us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7 NIV).
5. We can’t serve two masters.
Jesus taught, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24 NIV). We’re tempted to believe we can be a disciple of Christ and our own master simultaneously, but it’s not possible.
John, beloved disciple of Christ, wrote, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7 NIV).
We can’t walk in darkness and light at the same time.
6. We’re called to be the light of the world.
In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, “You are the light of the world… Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV).
We all sin, but when we refuse to confess and repent, our light is hidden.
John wrote, “…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:5-10 NIV).
Jesus wants us to confess, be cleansed, and walk in the light so that all see His light in us.
7. Sin hurts those we love.
My selfishness leaves my neighbor lonely. A harsh reply hurts my husband's heart.
Paul warned, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:13-16 NIV).
Jesus calls us to repent from anything that hurts others and love them instead.
8. God offers rewards in heaven to those who obey Him.
Scripture sometimes refers to rewards in heaven as crowns. Paul described it this way, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets a prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games undergoes rigorous training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV).
Just as an athlete must deny themselves some pleasures to win their race, so believers in Jesus must repent of indulgence and deny themselves what hinders their walk with Christ.
Paul also wrote, “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is…if what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NIV).
We don’t know what rewards in heaven will be like. There won’t be sorrow or tears, so whatever grief we have if we see our works burned up will be brief. In glory, we will only have joy. But imagine what we’ll miss if we have no crowns to lay at Jesus’s feet.
9. We’re called to glorify God.
God created us for His purpose and for His glory. He wants our lives to reflect His glory in all we do. Praying for believers, Paul said, “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV).
Paul also challenged believers, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV). When we indulge ourselves and refuse to repent, our lives do not glorify our Heavenly Father.
10. An unrepentant heart grieves the Holy Spirit.
On the Day of Pentecost, after Jesus had returned to heaven, He sent the most incredible gift to believers: He gave us the Holy Spirit to be our helper. His Spirit is in each person who believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit helps, convicts, comforts, empowers, guides, and works through us. But He does not force us to repent or obey.
When we resist the work of the Holy Spirit and do not repent, we cause Him grief. Paul urges believers: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30 NIV). When we don’t turn from loving worldly things more than Him, our dear Helper is grieved.
Final Thoughts
Repentance isn’t a harsh punishment; it’s for our good. It’s not a call for us to give up enjoyment for drudgery; it’s an offer for freedom and purpose. Sin enslaves, deceives, and lies to us. When we repent and trust God with our lives, we find joy, purpose, and meaning. God calls us to repentance out of His great love for us. May we respond with open hearts.
Jesus, I need to repent from selfishness and self-protection. Help me to turn from being so focused on myself and turn towards You, keeping my eyes fixed on You. I want to be willing to deny myself and follow You. May Your will be done in and through me.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/baona
Susan Aken is a writer, wife, mom, and follower of Jesus. She is an Oklahoma native but has lived in Nebraska for years. Besides writing, she has a passion for special needs and prayer ministries. She enjoys time with family, reading, and nature photography. She loves studying and teaching Bible truth. She believes life is a journey and we’re all in different places. Jesus is everything to her and it’s all about grace. Visit her at susanaken53.wordpress.com or on Facebook.
