The importance of repentance is that through it we achieve our salvation through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who intercedes for all our sins. In this way, when we repent, we are surrendering our lives to God and acknowledge our weakness before His Presence.
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Without true repentance, we will not attain the divine justice of Jesus and we will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.
So when there is sincere repentance, it is because we have been called and the Holy Spirit has opened our minds so that we can understand the word of God, which teaches us the truth and shows us the path that we must follow.
The importance of repentance – What it means according to the word of God
The word “Repentance” is the Spanish translation of the Greek word “metanoía” which means to change one’s mind or thought. However, in the light of the Bible, the New Testament is related to the Hebrew word “return”.
As noted above, true repentance is related to leaving sin, turning away from old habits, and starting a new life in Christ Jesus because without holiness we will not be able to see the Lord, and to sanctify ourselves we must first repent from the heart, as expressed by the word:
“If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
In this way, this passage emphasizes the importance of humbling oneself before the presence of God to be redeemed from all sin and to be able to receive the blessings that he has for each one of his children.
Many times we think that God has already forgiven us, but as human beings, we have weaknesses because our natural condition makes us sin without realizing it. That is why we must maintain a close communion with God to keep ourselves pure before his presence.
In this sense, it is necessary to go through a process so that we can eliminate from our lives what binds us. As children of God, we must change from the inside out, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and at all times, not just when they are watching us or when we go to the temple.
In this sense, repentance is what gives us entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven because, to be in the presence of the Lord, we must be in white garments, without stain.
That is why we must confess our sins daily because although we are not of this world, we live there and we are constantly being besieged by the enemy, who does not rest and whose main purpose is the destruction of God’s work here on earth. As the word points out: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
In this sense, we must be aware and seek the path of holiness in Christ Jesus because today there is a mistaken idea that once God has forgiven us, it is no longer necessary to repent.
But in this world, we will be tempted in all aspects of our lives and the enemy will use any opportunity to enter and give authority to darkness to be part of your life and separate you from the ways of Jesus.
So it is of the utmost importance that we examine ourselves daily so that our repentance is sincere and this can take time, that is why the moment we have accepted Our Lord Jesus as our only and true savior, the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in us. and begins to convict us, to grieve our hearts because it leads us into all truth:
“But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own account, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will show you things to come” (John 16:13)
In this sense, Our Lord Jesus Christ molds us through his Holy Spirit and alerts us when we are in danger of falling. For those we must have our senses sharpened and be attentive to the decisions we make, we must take care of our way of acting since our life is a testimony that what God does for each one of us.
In this regard, Jesus taught us in his ministry here on earth that the most important thing for each one of us is to be able to enter the Kingdom of God, and he emphasized that repentance is essential to reach this goal.
However, to achieve the main goal of entering the Kingdom of Heaven we have to purify our lives and turn away from the paths of evil. And from the Old Testament we are warned about the importance of being separated from the world, as indicated in the following passage:
“And the Lord sent to you all his servants the prophets, sending them early and without ceasing; but you did not hear, nor did you incline your ear to listen when they said: Turn now from your evil way and from the wickedness of your doings. . .”( Jeremiah 25:4-5).
On the other hand, it should be noted that in the Old Testament we were under the law and that to be in grace, God sent his only son into this world as the lamb of the world, who through his life, death and resurrection give us life and life in abundance.
So the covenant of Christ on Calvary’s cross freed us from all sin and gives us entrance into the presence of the Lord. We can see this in the following passage:
“And he told them . . . Everything that is written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to be fulfilled. . . Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead on the third day; and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:44-47).
In this order of ideas, the word of God tells us from the beginning that the Lord has sent his servants with the same message: “Repent, and depart from all your transgressions, and iniquity will not be the cause of your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions with which you have sinned, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:30-31).
3 Parables about forgiveness
Jesus Christ came looking for sinners, below are 3 Parables taught in his gospel.
Once we have understood the importance of sincere repentance of sins in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and to be able to achieve victory amid so many temptations, we must remain under the wings of the Lord.
In this way, we should not postpone under any circumstances our communion with God because when we are in the presence of the Lord is when we can be truly purified with the precious blood of the lamb. After all, the Lord knows our hearts and does not reject a contrite heart, humiliated, who recognizes his weakness and his dependence on God.
In this sense, in the Bible, we can find different parables that can help us to exemplify the importance of real repentance. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15 there are three parables:
1. The Parable of the Lost Sheep
This parable teaches us the importance of repentance and also the role that a pastor has in this mission, within the temple it is just as important, and the one that is lost is the one that must be rescued and the one that most needs attention because its path has been turned aside and separated from the fold:
“Then he told them this parable, saying: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he finds her, he puts her on his shoulders joyfully; and arriving home, he gathers his friends and neighbors, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need repentance” (Luke 15:3-7).
In this sense, Jesus emphasizes through this parable the importance of looking for the lost sheep and bringing it to repentance he gives greater importance to the one who needs to straighten his path and return to his flock.
In this same order of ideas, this parable is cause for reflection because it alludes to what Jesus Christ did in His ministry here on earth, since he came to look for everything that had been lost, he came to look for what was rejected, humiliated, scrapped. Fact for which he was highly criticized by the Pharisees. But Jesus was very clear about what his purpose was and that is why he testified to the Glory of his Father through his miracles, wonders, and wonders.
2. The Parable of the Lost Coin
This parable tells us about the importance of repenting to find what we have lost and that we have allowed the enemy to steal from us. Before finding the lost drachma, the woman had to turn on the light, sweep, search. And this alludes to the spiritual aspect in which we must cleanse ourselves through the blood of Christ to achieve God’s forgiveness.
This parable that Jesus teaches us shows his wisdom and his way of exemplifying the importance of repentance to find the presence of the Lord in our lives and reach the Kingdom of Heaven:
“Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one silver coin, does not light the lamp, and sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it? And when she finds it, she gathers her friends and neighbors, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma that she had lost. So I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:8-10)
Once the woman was able to find the lost drachma, she felt joy and I refuse to share that joy with others because when we find the presence of Our Lord, it is worthy of celebration. Every sinner who repents is cause for joy and there is a party in heaven.
3. The Parable of the Loving Father
This parable is found in the book of Mark 15:11-32 where Jesus tells us the story of the prodigal son, who decides to leave home with the money from his inheritance. But since he did not have God’s address, he wasted all the money and so he decided to return to his father’s house:
“I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men. And getting up, he came to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and was moved with mercy, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants: Bring out the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate” (Mark 15: 18-23)
An example of forgiveness and love can be seen in this passage since when this man returns home ready to ask for forgiveness, his father receives him with open arms and celebrates his return with joy. This caused jealousy in his other son because he thought that he did not deserve such entertainment. But the central teaching of this parable lies in the fact that the one who had left and was lost has returned repentant of his actions.
In this sense, these three parables show us the importance of repentance and forgiveness, since by confessing our sins we can achieve salvation. And in the same way that God forgives us, in the same way, we must forgive.
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20 Bible scriptures on repentance
- 2 Chronicles 7:14
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. - 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. - Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. - Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. - 2 Chronicles 30:9
For the Lord, your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. - 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. - Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” - Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. - James 4:8
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - Joel 2:13
Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity. - Revelation 3:19
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. - Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. - Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! - Acts 17:30
In the past, God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. - Mark 1:15
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” - Luke 5:32
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. - Zechariah 1:3
‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. - Luke 13:3
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. - Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. - Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” - Proverbs 1:23
Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings. - Luke 17:3b-4
If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them. - Psalm 51:17
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
