Ask a Pastor Column

Q: What does repentance mean? Is it the same as feeling sorry for your sins?

A:  First, let me say that different pastors and teachers will have slightly different definitions of repentance. I’ll walk you through the way it is used in the Bible, then give you my take on a definition. But I invite you to look at other perspectives as well. As always, the best perspective is the one that most closely fits with how the word is used in the Bible, and each individual must determine this for themselves (1 John 2:27).

When we examine various verses that have our word “repent,” we can identify some patterns right off. First, we can see that the call to repent is always based on some new message or occurrence. In Matthew 4:17 Jesus tells the Jews to “Repent, because the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” In Luke 10:13, we’re told that Tyre and Sidon (two cities in the Middle East that feature prominently in the Old Testament) would have repented if they had witnessed Jesus’ miracles. The Ninevites’ response to Jonah’s message is described as repentance (Jonah 3:4-9; cf. Luke 11:32).

One passage that gives particular insight into the meaning of repentance is Luke 13:1-9. Jesus addresses the Jew’s perspective or opinion of a recent event in verse 2. Then in verse three He rejects their perspective, telling them to “repent” so they do not perish in a similar fashion. The same thing happens in verses 4-5. So the pattern we can draw from this passage is that a certain belief or perspective would lead them to destruction unless they “repent” of it.

In the New Testament, the word “repent” translates a single Greek word which fundamentally means “to change your mind.” It goes beyond feeling sorry for your sin (notice in II Corinthians 7:9-10 that godly sorrow leads to repentance, so godly sorrow must be different than repentance). But the way it is used also takes us beyond a superficial shift of opinion. To repent is to change our fundamental beliefs about God, ourselves, life, and-or morality. It is a fundamental change of perspective which leads to a change of lifestyle. Repentance begins when a person is confronted by some new truth or experience. Based upon that experience or message, they are exhorted to make a radical change in their beliefs; a change that will lead to discernible changes in how they are living (Matthew 3:7-8; Acts 26:20; also see Paul’s example in Acts 9:1-19. Notice how his changed perspective of Jesus affected his actions and behavior. That’s repentance!).

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