What is…
repentance and why is it very important?

also known as: contrition, sincere penitence, true remorse

Meaning: change of mind and heart —as in “Oh no, what have I done?!!”

True repentance is to turn away from sin and have a change of heart.

The words repent and repentance (or variations thereof) appear 73 times in the New American Standard Bible (NASB). It is a very important term, particularly appearing over and over again in the Gospels and the book of Revelation. Jesus Christ and His Apostles called sinners to repent of their many sins and believe in Christ and the Gospel.

There are 2 Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.

1. metamelomai

   Greek: μεταμέλομαι —transliteration: metamelomai

   This verb is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the remorse of Judas (Matthew 27:3).

   Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See [to that] yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. ——Matthew 27:3-5 NASB

2. metanoeó —true repentance

   Greek: μετανοέω —transliteration: metanoeó or metanoeo

   This means to change one’s mind and purpose, a change of the inner man. This verb, with the cognate noun metanoia —μετάνοια, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.

Key points for understanding repentance

• What is SIN AND WICKEDNESS? Is it just “bad people” that are sinners, or are YOU a sinner? Answer
• What does the Bible say about HUMILITY?
• Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer
• THE FEAR OF THE LORD— What is it? Why is it very important? Answer
• How and why did Jesus greatly humble himself for us? Answer
• What is REGENERATION? being born-again

So, what is true repentance—sincere remorse?

According to Scripture’s teaching of the Gospel, repentance consists of…

1. a true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness

2. an actual hatred of sin (Psalm 119:128; Job 42:5,6; 2 Corinthians 7:10) and turning from it to God

3. an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ

4. a persistent effort to live a holy life—walking with God in the way of His instruction

   What is holiness and why are we to pursue it? Answer

One who is truly repentant is conscious of…

• personal guilt

  Against You, You only, I have sinned
  And done what is evil in Your sight,
  So that You are justified when You speak
  And pure when You judge.
  
  …Hide Your face from my sins
  And blot out all my iniquities. —Psalm 51:4, 9 LSB

• personal pollution

  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
  And in sin my mother conceived me.
  
  …Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
  Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
  
  …Create in me a clean heart, O God,
  And renew a steadfast spirit within me. —Psa. 51:5, 5, 10 LSB

• personal helplessness

  Do not cast me away from Your presence
  And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. —Psa. 51:11 LSB

  But as for You, O Yahweh, O Lord, deal with me for Your name’s sake;
  Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me;
  For I am afflicted and needy,
  And my heart is pierced within me. —Psa. 109:21-22 LSB

Thus, he realizes that he is just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be—a lost sinner who desperately needs God’s mercy. Repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also of his Creator’s pure holiness and an understanding of His mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Psalm 51:1; 130:4).

Do you think you are NOT a sinner, and that you are good enough to be admitted to God’s Holy presence for eternity? Think again. None of us are even close.

Even God’s righteous man Job, after coming face to face with God—His pure holiness, omnipotence, wisdom and love—humbly confessed, in essence, “…I realize the truth… I am vile… I repent in dust and ashes…” (paraphrase from Job 40-42).

And then, God instantly came to Job’s rescue and restored and rewarded him.

Is repentance a one time event in one’s life?

More information

• What does it mean to CONFESS?
• Is repentance NECESSARY FOR SALVATION? Answer
• Why you should use THE LAW in evangelism? Answer
• Should you lead someone in the “SINNER’S PRAYER”? Answer
• How should one confront sinners? Answer
• What was Jesus Christ’s approach? Answer
• How should I preach at a funeral for someone I suspect died unsaved? Answer
• THE FEAR OF THE LORD—What is it? Why is it very important? Answer
• Justice of God
• Judgment of God
• What is SIN? Answer
• What is the FALL OF MAN? Answer
• What is FORGIVENESS OF SIN? Answer
• What is REGENERATION? Answer
• What is the GOSPEL? Answer
• What is REDEMPTION? Answer
• What is GRACE? Answer
• What is the MEANS OF GRACE? Answer
• What is SALVATION? Answer
• What is SANCTIFICATION? Answer
• What is HOLINESS? Answer
• What is GODLINESS? Answer
• What is RIGHTEOUSNESS? Answer
• What is the GOODNESS OF GOD? Answer