What does it mean to be repentant? Do you know what the role of repentance is in the Christian life, and why it’s so central to the Gospel?
In today’s post, we invite you to reflect on what Jesus said about repentance, why God rejoices in repentance, and more with these 10 verses.
Repentance and God’s Mercy
“Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13
“If we say, ‘We are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.” — 1 John 1:8-9
“Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash away my guilt;
and from my sin cleanse me.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from before your face,
nor take from me your Holy Spirit.
Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;
uphold me with a willing spirit.” — Psalm 51:3-4, 12-14
“If then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
What Jesus Said About Repentance
“Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.’” — Luke 5:31-32
“And he said to them, ‘Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’” — Luke 24:46-48
Repentance is Central to the Gospel
“‘Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘What are we to do, my brothers?’ Peter [said] to them, ‘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. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.’” — Acts 2:36-39
God Leads Us to Repentance
“But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:8-9
The Lord Rejoices in Repentance
“Upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” — Luke 15:6-7
“But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die! None of the crimes he has committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the justice he has shown. Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked — oracle of the Lord God? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?” — Ezekiel 18:21-23
