God Is Faithful And Just
Repentance and, in turn, forgiveness, show Gods love for us through his willingness to purify us from our poor choices and sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Based on the scriptures, its clear that God made a way for salvation and forgiveness. That way is paved with acts of repentance, with the Bible repeatedly telling us that we should embrace Jesus sacrifice and speak to God about our wrongs.
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This is as simple as speaking to the Lord directly and repenting of our sins. This shouldnt be done out of mere fear, but with heartfelt sorrow. God calls us to Him, and repentance is simply the repeated act of answering that call.
Read more about the act of forgiveness here and more about the importance of prayer, be sure to read our tips on creative ways that you can make your prayer time even more powerful.
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First Step In Repentance Admit You Have Sinned
The first step in repentance is to honestly admit that you have sinned. If you do not believe you have sinned, you will never truly repent of your sins and God will not forgive. King David is an important example of this principle in the Old Testament. Therefore, lets discover how he responded to his secret sins. 2 Samuel 11:1-5 tells us that King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. That was his sin of adultery. 2 Samuel 11:6-21 reveals Davids second sin when he arranged for Uriah to be killed by ordering the military to place him on the frontline during a battle. David tried to keep both sins a secret. But God knew and sent the prophet Nathan to confront David . 2 Samuel 12:13 says that David finally admitted that he had sinned. He said,
I have sinned . . . 2 Samuel 12:13
God knew David had to admit his sin before he would repent. So God chose to use a prophet. Today, God the Holy Spirit uses the Bible and Christian friends who care about us to remind us of our sins.
Seek The Lord While He May Be Found Call Upon Him While He Is Near Let The Wicked Forsake His Way And The Unrighteous Man His Thoughts Let Him Return To The Lord That He May Have Compassion On Him And To Our God For He Will Abundantly Pardon
To seek the Lord means to pray and this repentance verse is an invitation for sinners to do just that. Here the word call is used, to reiterate that no special language is required to seek God, to speak to Him, and confess your sins.
When you seek the Lord you will begin to shed your sins simply in the act of calling Him. We are reminded here of Gods infinite capacity for forgiveness. When you feel overwhelmed, are plagued with feelings of guilt, or believe you are living an unholy life, turn to this scripture to remind yourself that God will hear you from heaven and will forgive you for your wrongdoings.
There is no sin too great that it cannot be cleansed by the love and pardon of God.
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Final Thoughts On True Repentance
Hopefully, you see the pattern here. The call to repentance is not a call to shame. It is a call to examine your direction and reorient yourself towards God.
In the end, only the Holy Spirit can bring true conviction and repentance . Only He can reorient a person to God and produce fruit worthy of repentance .
Do you feel like you have a clearer understanding of the true meaning of repentance? Has this challenged any of your previous beliefs about what repentance is?
Repentance Is The Result Of Your True Faith In Christ
The evidence that you are truly saved is that your life will change.
16. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away behold, all things are become new.
17. Matthew 7:16-17 Youll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.
18. Luke 3:8-14 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And dont start saying to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father, for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesnt produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. What then should we do? the crowds were asking him. He replied to them, The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same. Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, Teacher, what should we do? He told them, Dont collect any more than what you have been authorized. Some soldiers also questioned him: What should we do? He said to them, Dont take money from anyone by force or false accusation be satisfied with your wages.
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Bible Verses Using The Word Repentance
Genesis 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
Exodus 32:12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
Exodus 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Deuteronomy 32:36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.
Judges 21:6 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.
Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Hebrews 7:21
Following The Pattern Of The Father
God does not condemn us. He does not ask us for tears and promises to do better or to fix things. So how does He lead us to repentance?
Our good Father uses the opposite tactic of what I was using. As Paul says, do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? .Correcting with mercy, kindness, and gentleness is a powerful motivator towards repentance.Paul says that even our opponents can be brought to repentance by gentleness and truth. The Lords servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, .
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Conviction Is An Invitation
Nineveh was called to change their hell-bent ways steeped in sin and pride. But when they were called out, they responded to God. They humbled themselves and threw themselves at the mercy of God. These people underwent changes of moral convictions and beliefs that led to a change of behavior They were transformed in their understanding which led to a change in heart and behavior. They repented.
When God calls us to repentance, He is challenging us to taste and see that He is good . He wants us to trust in His truth and ways and not on our old ways of thinking . This is why we find repentance so often paired with faith.Conviction is an invitation to repentance, not shame. Its a call from going your own way to going Gods way.By this definition, I find myself in a regular pattern of repentance. Through Bible study, community, and prayer God continues to transform my perspective, change my mind, and convince me that Gods way is better and the way to live.
More Verses About Repentance In The Bible
The Bible has repentance verses with two different themes. Verses about repenting from our sinful nature and also verses about repenting from specific sins.
After Peters sermon on the Day of Pentecost in which he preaches to a multitude proclaiming that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah.
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towardus, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
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.
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What Did Jesus Say About Repentance
Jesus himself made it clear that repentance is key, urging people to turn to God to ask for forgiveness for their sins:
From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. – Matthew 4:17
Like Jesus, John the Baptist also warned that the end was drawing nearer and that it was, thus, essential to repent:
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. – Matthew 3:1-3
What Bible Verse Says Repent Of Your Sins
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. – Acts 3:19
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. – 2 Timothy 2:25
But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? – Ezekiel 18:21-23
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Those Whom I Love I Rebuke And Discipline So Be Earnest And Repent
Sometimes God exercises discipline as a loving father. We must remember that though discipline may be painful, it ultimately is for our own good so that we may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This verse shows us that God invests in us, even when we sin, and our duty is to repent with sincerity.
Bible Verses About Repentance
What does the Bible say about Repentance? – Scriptures on Repentance
The Bible tells us that no one is without sin as our human nature is fallen. It is God’s wish for our lives and eternal soul that we may repent for our sins of iniquity against God and turn to Him in faith and obedience. Scriptures call us to repentance, reminding us of the glorious grace and mercy of God that awaits us if we but repent and believe in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote in Acts 20:20-21, “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
We have gathered many of the best Bible verses about repentance in this collection of scripture quotes. May these scriptures inspire you to look within and realize the truth of repentance and glory of God’s mercy.
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One Last Word On The Steps Of Repentance
Its your turn. Do you have a sin lurking which you need to bring before the Lord? Is disobedience ruining your walk with God? Have you wronged your neighbor and need to humbly ask forgiveness in order to save your relationship?
How could a man, who is considered a man after Gods own heart, commit such terrible sins? Why did God continue to honor him?
David had a humble heart. He responded when chastised and set an example for us all.
God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.
And one of my favorites
For thus says the High and Lofty OneWho inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:I dwell in the high and holy place,With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,To revive the spirit of the humble,And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
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What Jesus Said About Repentance
The very first thing Jesus preached was, Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near! . The verse before helps underscore what he says, quoting the prophecy from Isaiah about Jesus, The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.Jesus is light, truth, and the new way. Jesus is saying, change your mind and believe something new.
In the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, Jesus repeats, You have heard it said and but I tell you a new way. In light of these verses, I think Jesus in Matthew 4:17 might be saying repent as in, Check it out! Wrap your mind around this! Get on board! And believe in a new way.
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And Saying The Time Is Fulfilled And The Kingdom Of God Is At Hand Repent And Believe In The Gospel
These two Bible verses on repentance portray direct quotes from Jesus demonstrating a sense of urgency for sinners to repent and believe that salvation has arrived. It is a reminder for us to prepare for the kingdom of Heaven by seeking forgiveness for our sins and to cleanse our spirit of the wrongs we have committed so that we may be accepted into heaven.
How To Teach Repentance To Children
When my firstborn was very young, I was told that unless a child cries, they are not truly repentant. This false teacher convinced me that caring for my child spiritually meant making her feel bad.
So when my daughter got into trouble, if she didnt cry, I would scold and shame her until she cried. Even if she apologized it wasnt enough.Fortunately, God transformed my thinking and I believed that she could learn and change her behavior without shame and tears. I stopped trying to make her cry and became a more godly parent.
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Jesus Came Preaching A Message Of Repentance Since All Of Us Have Sinned We All Need To Repent But What Does It Mean To Repent Heres How To Repent
The topic of repentance is found throughout the pages of the Bible. When Jesus spoke, He often said that His audience needed to repent. He said that He came to call sinners, to repentance .
That message is just as much for us today as it was for people living 2,000 years ago. Everyone needs to learn how to repent of sin because God commands all men everywhere to repent . For no one can receive the gift of eternal life without first repenting of sin.
Yet repentance is often misunderstood in the religious world. Many see it as an emotional reaction to guilt, feeling remorseful for our sins, or simply asking God for forgiveness. True repentance includes these thingsbut the Bible shows theres more to it.
True repentance is much more than a momentary emotional reaction it is actually a lifelong process! Many people see a need to change something in their lives, but what exactly needs to be changed? What must one do to be in a continued repentant attitude?