A Commitment To Repentance

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. – Luke 13:5

Yesterday, we began a conversation about repentance. We discussed how repentance is not an option, but rather a command if we want to have a thriving relationship with God and live a life that honors Him.

With that in mind, there is another thing I want us to break down regarding repentance, so let’s dive into that.

In addition to the fact that we are commanded to repent, the second thing we need to consider is that we are to commit to repent. If we are going to commit to repentance, we need to understand what true repentance looks like. Repentance isn’t just conviction. You can be convicted of your sin but not repent. You can even confess your sin and not repent. Repentance is remorse over your sin.

Now hear me when I say that repentance includes conviction – that is the first step. It leads to confession where you agree with God about your sin. It is born out of contrition where you feel what God feels about your sin and ultimately it leads to conversion to a turning.

Repentance is when you turn from all that you are and all that you’ve done to all that He is and all that He has done. This is my definition of repentance: Repentance is true remorse over our sin, a determined renouncing of our sin, and a sincere resolve to forsake our sin and follow Jesus. This is the type of repentance we need to commit to if we want to be obedient to God with the way we live and the way we pursue Him.

Dear Lord, I want to live a life of repentance. I don’t want to just confess my sins and not repent. And I don’t want to experience conviction and not repent. I want to truly feel remorse over my sin. Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.