THE CHURCH IN PROGRESS:
REPENTANCE
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The Greek word for repentance (metanoia), indicates change, conversion. It means to change one’s mind or disposition for the better. There is more than one Greek word translated by the word repentance, but this word expresses the will of God for us in a change for the better.

What is the difference between faith and repentance? Both express the idea of change, but faith just implies it in general. Faith is expressive of rest, trust, and simple confidence. Faith respects what is true; repentance of what is right. Faith looks away from error to the truth; repentance looks away from sin to righteousness and holiness. It is repentance from dead works to serve the living God (Heb. 6:1).

How is repentance produced? Reason tells us that evidence or testimony is necessary to faith. Reasons or motives are necessary to repentance or change of will. Men are not expected to believe or repent apart from the evidence. If moral men are sinning in ignorance and are shown they are, that would be reason enough to convince them (faithful) to repent. But men who reject reason that they are sinning do not believe. They do not change their minds or purpose or do not repent. Why? There is no conviction. Even if they are sorry for their deeds and go to jail, that is not repentance. Many are sorry for their sins because they got caught. But being sorry is not repentance nor does it at all times lead to repentance. Judas was sorry for betraying his Master, but he went out and hanged himself.

Godly sorrow must come from a knowledge of what God has done for us. It melts the heart, the will is changed, and the life is reformed through obedience. The Prodigal Son said: “I have sinned against God and you (his father). It is sorrow which feels ashamed before God’s goodness that produces repentance. “Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance (Rom. 2:4). “The Lore is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to youward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Pet. 3:9).

The revelation of God in Christ gives reasons for repentance. Jesus and John both said: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Timothy was to deal with opponents by following the divine example to be gentle, forbearing, correcting in meekness, if, by such means, peradventure God may give them repentance unto knowledge of the truth” (2Tim. 2:25). “The times of ignorance God overlooked; but now He commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent (Acts 17:30). It is the death of God’s Son, showing God’s love that melts sinner’s hearts. It melted Paul’s heart to the point that he was “determined to know nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified (1Cor. 2:2).

To illustrate what repentance is and where it might be found, the story is told of the searcher leaving the city gate, climbing a lonely hill, and finding it in sight of an old rugged cross. His heart melted when he saw the One who hung thereon. He unhesitatingly cried out, “I have found you, Repentance!” “You will always find me here”, said Repentance, “at the foot of the old rugged cross, in sight of my crucified Lord. The tarry ye here, forever!”