Two major obstacles stand in the way of our attaining eternal life. Firstly, it’s impossible for us on our own to perfectly obey God’s commandments. Secondly, even if it was possible for us to be perfectly obedient for the rest of our lives, it would not make up for the guilt of past sins. The death penalty we had incurred would not be removed. We must receive God’s forgiveness for our past sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to gradually replace our selfish nature with a Christlike nature.
On the Day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter told the assembled crowd what we must do in order to receive these precious gifts: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'” (Acts 2:38). The twofold remedy for human sinfulness is the forgiveness of sins and the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. (See also Acts 3:19).
In both cases the first thing Peter said to do was “repent.” Dictionary definitions of “repent” and “repentance” emphasize feelings of remorse, regret and contrition for one’s wrongdoing, but feelings alone aren’t enough. The biblical meaning of “repent” emphasizes the need for a change of our attitudes and actions. A biblical synonym for repent is ‘turn’ as Paul explained: “I preached that they must repent of their sins and turn to God and do the things that would show they had repented” (Acts 26:20, Today’s English Version). Initial repentance is surrender to God and after that, whenever we stray from the “way of God,” we must repent and turn back to God. (Acts 18:25-26).
Jesus Christ taught the two greatest commandments are love for God and love for our fellow human beings (Matthew 22:37-40). The love for God includes obedience to His laws. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments….” (1 John 5:3). The Ten Commandments broadly define how to love God and one’s neighbor. (See our free study guide: The Ten Commandments.)
Any violation of God’s law is sin: ”Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4 NKJV). God summed up true repentance when He pleaded: “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity [lawlessness] will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:30-31). He went on to express His deep love and desire to forgive and save everyone: “For why should you die … .For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies . . . Therefore turn and live!” (verses 31-32). (See also 2 Peter 3:9.)
Paul explained, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Godly sorrow is directed toward God (Psalm 51:4; Acts 20:21). It is grief over having transgressed against Him, leading to a permanent commitment to change. Worldly sorrow, however, is self-centered—feeling humiliated that your wrongdoing has been exposed, or feeling sorry for oneself because of the penalties you are suffering.
In Romans 7 we read the Apostle Paul felt deep sorrow over his sins, and in Psalm 51, we read of David’s heartfelt prayer of sorrow and repentance. When the patriarch Job came to better understand the greatness of God and his own weakness and self-righteousness, he said, “Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). Real repentance requires confessing our sins to God and determining to change with His help: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). (God does not require confessing to another person in order to obtain forgiveness.)
As we read in Acts 2:38, once we repent and believe the Gospel, we must then be baptized. (See the following article in this issue of Bible Insights Weekly: What The Bible Says About Baptism.) Our Father in heaven is always willing to help us back on our feet, but we must repent and ask for help.
