The Command To Repent

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)

Over the next couple of days, I want us to spend some time answering the question, “What is repentance?” It is imperative that we understand this concept because the word is mentioned nine hundred and sixty-nine times in the Bible. When God talks about something once it is a big deal, but if He talks about it almost a thousand times it had better get our attention!

Sadly, the word “repentance” seems like a forbidden word within the church and outside the church because the word implies that people have something they need to repent of, and of course, that sounds like you are judging others. Regardless, it is a word we cannot forget nor forsake, but rather one we need to zoom in on.

That being said, I am going to share with you two ways to relate to this important principle of repentance. We’ll talk about the first way today, and then we’ll discuss the other one tomorrow.

The first thing we need to consider is that we are commanded to repent. Repentance is not an option; it is a command. The first word Jesus ever spoke was a command to repent. And the last word Jesus ever spoke, He spoke to the church and it was the same command. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent,” (Revelation 3:19).

This verse should help us understand that we are commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to repent. It is not just that everybody needs to repent. Everybody must repent if they are going to have a relationship with God. This isn’t something we can continue to ignore if we want to live lives that honor God and have strong, thriving relationships with our Heavenly Father.

Dear Lord, thank you for this reminder that I am commanded to repent. I pray that you would help me to feel the weight of repentance and that I wouldn’t see it as an optional part of our relationship. Lord, please forgive me of my sins and help me to turn and flee from my sinful behaviors and desires. In Jesus’ name, amen.