For the majority of the weeks during the church season of Lent, I will share a few thoughts on some of the various approaches Christians might take at this time of the year when we reflect upon the suffering Jesus endured in order to redeem us.  There are many appropriate actions and reactions for a believer as he or she contemplates Jesus’ crucifixion … and thankfully also his resurrection. 

These posts during Lent will form the basis of our Wednesday evening worship discussions.  I pray they provide wonderful food for thought, and blessed encouragement to all of us!

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If someone were to ask a Christian to define repentance, most would probably reply with an answer along these lines: “Repentance is being sorry for one’s sins.” 

In fact, doing a quick search online provided a very similar secular interpretation: repentance is “the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.”  At its simplest level, this is an accurate definition.  And certainly in a non-spiritual context.

However, the Bible shows repentance to be a bit more complex, describing multiple facets of this spiritual activity.  It’s worth exploring and understanding these various nuances. 

The first aspect is the most obvious one, and the one already mentioned: repentance is sincere sorrow over one’s sin.  It is personal horror and profound grief over disobeying God’s will.  (It’s often referred to as “contrition.”)

The Lord describes this attitude beautifully through King David, who wrote in repentance after his sin of adultery.  “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

The second aspect of repentance flows naturally from the heart-wrenching agony of the first one: it’s the ardent desire to never, ever … ever! … repeat that mistake again.  “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:30-31).

These first two elements are easy to grasp, as they seem logical to our minds and intuitive with the concept.  And while they are both incredibly important, the third aspect of repentance is equally important. Perhaps even more important.

Yet, it’s a concept that many believers don’t grasp – at least in relation to repentance. But it’s crucial that they do!

The third aspect of repentance is faith in God’s forgiveness … despite how despicable a personal sin may seem or how wracked with shame or buried under guilt a person might feel over it.

The Holy Spirit moved the Apostle John to share these comforting words with us: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. … This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts …” (1 John 3:16, 19-20).

The Apostle Peter summarized it this way to the crowds who mobbed him and John after healing a lame beggar. He boldly informed the people that they were guilty of crucifying the Lord and Messiah, Jesus.  He went on to urge them to repent, and informed them of the incredible result of doing so.  “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).

In other words, where there is sincere sorrow over sin, the determination to do everything possible to abandon that sin, and the yearning of the soul to turn to God in faith – there is also absolute forgiveness – because forgiveness for every sin was secured by Jesus our Savior.

If you doubt that this third aspect of repentance is significant, consider two disciples who wronged Jesus in his final days before dying.  Judas betrayed the Lord to Jesus’ enemies.  When he saw Jesus arrested, tortured and condemned, was he sincerely sorry?  Yes!  Would he ever want to make that same mistake again?  No!  (Mt. 27:3-5).  But he lacked faith that he could be forgiven for what he had done, so he tragically took his own life.

Peter denied Jesus three times, despite the Lord’s dire warning that he would.  Did Peter feel profound remorse afterwards?  Was he determined to never repeat that offense?  Yes, on both counts!  (Lk. 22:61-62). But Peter held on to hope and clung to faith that somehow he could still be forgiven by God.  And, of course, he was! (Jn. 21:15-17).

There’s yet another aspect of repentance.  It’s an additional area that is often overlooked, but is a natural component of a faith-moved repentance.  God-guided repentance longs to restore everything that a person’s sin has tarnished or broken. (Like Zacchaeus promised to do in Luke 19:8!)  Sometimes this can be done, at least partially; sometimes sadly it cannot.

Ultimately, our Lord desires that we are continually processing through the repentance cycle in our day-to-day lives.  After all, we daily sin, so we daily have reason to repent.  But if there was ever a time to give repentance some additional personal attention, it is during the season of Lent.

One wide-eyed look at our bloody Savior is reason enough.  But view him not only through the despairing eyes of a sinner.  View him also through the rejoicing eyes of a believer!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus …” (Romans 8:1).

Thank you, dear Lord Jesus!