Repentance means to change your mind, do an about-face, to change direction. In the context of salvation, it refers to changing one’s mind about sinning, turning from sin, and turning to God. It is prompted by a guilty conscience (Acts 2:37-38) and is attainable through the goodness and kindness of God (Rom. 2:4). But for repentance to be accepted by God, it must be genuine and sincere. It is here that I fear Christians sometimes abuse repentance.

It is possible, for example, to use repentance as an escape hatch for “planned sinning.” That is, a Christian might knowingly commit sin, thinking that they can “always repent later.” Or, one can go through the motions of repenting, without understanding or intending to comply with the changed life which it demands. After all, repentance has fruit, John the Baptist said (Mt. 3:8). Peter commanded his hearers to “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19). And Paul told Agrippa that he “preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

Any prayer to God for forgiveness which leaves a mental loophole for continued sinning is no repentance at all. Such mental finagling is an attempt to mock God, which Paul says cannot be done (Gal. 6:7). Have you really changed your mind about your sin, or are you trying to have it both ways? Remember, the Lord already knows the answer.

– by Jim King