REPENTANCE FOR TRANSFORMATION

“REPENT therefore and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” – Acts 3:19

The Believer’s Journey of Transformation begins at the Junction of REPENTANCE: “REPENT therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). This is a COMMAND to REPENT! It was prayer time at the temple in Jerusalem. God used Peter and John to heal a lame man at the Beautiful Gate, in the name of Jesus (Acts 3: 1-10). A crowd gathered around and Peter responded with this command, “Repent therefore and be converted...” The word “repentance” means to change one's mind. These Jews had to change their mind about Jesus Christ and themselves. They had delivered Him up to Pilate, denied the Holy and Righteous One, and killed the Prince of Life, but the God of their fathers raised Him up, and glorified Him. Now, they were to repent!

The words ‘repentance’ and ‘conversion’ share a common thought – Change! A changed life is evidence of true repentance. Repentance is the vital and valuable spiritual U-turn preceding Transformation: ^“God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in TURNING AWAY every one of you from your iniquities” (v.26b). Repentance entails a change of mind – hating sin and loving God. It is more than remorse or feeling sorry for one’s sins. Godly sorrow produces remorse; but this in itself is not repentance: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2Cor.7:10). Repentance is turning our heart and mind away from sins – thoughts and actions that hurt us, those around us, and God – and turning toward prioritizing loving relationships with God and others.

Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of heart that leads to a change in actions. The Lord Jesus preached: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, and BELIEVE in the gospel” (Mk.1:15). He later sent Paul to Jews and Gentiles, “to open their eyes, in order to TURN THEM from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me’” (Acts 26:18). He spoke of “testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, REPENTANCE toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). It is odd and strange that in many contemporary messages on Transformation, there is lack of emphasis on Repentance! Contrary to divine order, some folks want to believe and enjoy refreshing without repenting!

Throughout the Bible, God speaks of transforming lives and creating change in incredible ways. From the Old Covenant to the New, repentance has always been a crucial initial step in the Transformation process: “So REND YOUR HEART, and not your garments; RETURN to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:13). God told Israel: “REPENT, and TURN from all your transgressions, so that iniquity 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” (Ezek.18: 30b-31). This is fulfilled in the New Covenant as we turn from sin to Christ. By repentance, God transforms us from inside-out, and changes our lives completely: “repentance to life” (Acts 11:18)..

Repentance is an awakening in the heart that is evidenced in a definite change of course. It grants us access to Divine Inheritance (Acts 26:18). When we turn to God, we receive Refreshment – “times of refreshing” (v.19). Repentance is the pathway to true transformation for believers, churches, and nations (2Chr.7:14; Jer.18:8). Repentance is the difference between playing church and being the Body of Christ; and between our trying to transform ourselves and submitting to the Holy Spirit to cleanse, refine, and mold us. Repentance is the difference between self-improvement and true sanctification.