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HELEN SANDERS
10-4-2022
WHAT REPENTANCE ISN’T
Many times, when we look at our lives and see where we have failed, we make a determination to “turn over a new leaf.” A page of a book was called a “leaf” in days long gone past. In other words, turn the page and start fresh. Often people think that this will make things right with God.
Is this all that it takes for one to be right with God? No, sadly it isn’t. God calls us to repentance. Repentance is not “turning over a new leaf.” It is a change of heart, mind, and will. It is a choice to not do the sin that has taken hold of us. It cannot be done if one is not born again, because there is no salvation from sin without Jesus Christ.
So, what does it mean to have a change of heart, mind, and will? It means that we are convicted (not condemned) of our sin by Holy Spirit. It means that we make a choice to “turn away” from what we have been doing and take a new path going in the opposite direction. It means we go with what the Word of God says, rather than our own intellect.
Repentance starts in our spirit. We recognize that what we have been doing is sin. It is not a little problem, not a little mistake. It is sin. Sin is breaking God’s law. Like any natural law that is broken, there is a penalty for it. The penalty for sin is shedding of sinless blood. Since none of us have that, we need a Savior, and Jesus was just that. When we confess to God our sin and choose to repent (turn away from) the sin, then we are cleansed of that sin.
Repentance begins with godly sorrow. We realize that we haven’t just sinned against others, but we have sinned against God. Godly sorrow brings repentance.
Are you in need of repentance? Ask God to show you where you have failed, and then confess it as sin. Then repent and go forward knowing that God has forgiven you.
Remember, it is not “turning over a new leaf,” it is a fresh start with God.
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