| Repentance is foundationally self-centered in a good way (what have I done?) and foundationally selfless (the opposite of repentance is turning to his own course). Jer. 8: 4-8– Moreover you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord: "Will they fall and not rise? Will one turn away and not return? Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, they refuse to return. I listened and heard, butthey do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, saying, 'What have I done?' Everyone turned to his own course, as the horse rushes into the battle. "One can be sorry about his own losses without changing his opinions, stance or attitudes. Repentance refers to a change of heart – a new orientation of the inner man brought about by the Holy Spirit. It involves a rethinking of one's relationships toward God, one's self, sin, Christ, others, etc. It leads to the conclusion that 'I am a sinner who must trust Christ alone for forgiveness of sin.'" Jay Adams in A Theology of Christian Counseling Repentance is always a turning from evil as defined by the Bible. Jer. 25:5– They [the prophets of God] said, "Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord has given to you and your fathers forever and ever." Eze. 14:6– Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. True repentance will be recognizable in the actions of the repentant sinner – not actions in general, but actions related to the sin being repented. Mt. 3:8-10– Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as ourfather.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Repentance is known to be genuine when the inner changes of heart lead to outer changes of life." Jay Adams in A Theology of Christian Counseling Jesus calls sinners to repent – one cannot follow Jesus if he is not marked by a life of repentance. Mt. 9:13– But go and learn what thismeans: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.'For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Repentance is necessary for forgiveness (remission = forgiveness). Mk. 1:4– John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Heaven rejoices at the sight of true repentance. Lk. 15:7– I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Listening to the Bible leads to repentance (not listening to signs and wanders). Lk. 16:30-31– And he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent." But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Repentance focuses on God and is an act of faith. Acts 20:21– … testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The character of God leads to repentance - if you know God, we will be marked by a repentant life. Rom. 2:4– Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? The humble proclamation of the Word is a means that God uses to bring sinners to repentance. 2 Tim. 2:24-26– And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. Humble listening to the proclamation of the Word of God leads to repentance. It is God's desire that each one of his people come to repentance. 2 Pt 3:9– The Lord is not slack concerning Hispromise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
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