Salvation

What is repentance?

By Jeremy Osborn

Repentance is one of the most misunderstood words in the Bible. It does not mean grovelling. It means turning.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 3:19 (KJV)

What Scripture says

Peter tells the crowd to repent and be converted, so that their sins may be blotted out. Turning and forgiveness belong together.

What this means

Repentance is a change of mind that becomes a change of direction. Feeling bad is not repentance; walking the other way is.

Go deeper

Notice what follows forgiveness in this verse: times of refreshing. Repentance is not the end of your freedom; it is the beginning of it.

Supporting Scripture

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (KJV)

Think about it

Is there something you already know God is asking you to turn from? What is the first concrete step of turning?

Put it into practice

Name one thing to God today and take one practical step away from it — a deleted app, a returned item, an honest conversation.

Pray

Father, I turn. Not only in feeling but in direction. Give me the strength to walk the other way. Amen.

Your next step

Learn what faith is and how it works.

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