What is True Repentance?

Repenting of sins when someone first receives salvation is what many Christians think of when they reflect on repentance. Repenting of sins is one of the key steps in obtaining eternal life with Christ, but this is something that we should to do as often as needed. There are many who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but are living with unconfessed sin in their lives. This damages the unity and relationship one has with Christ. Sin can cause us to feel guilty, heavy, burdened, and can cause us to lose joy, peace and strength. Some Christians believe that if they can just say, “Lord forgive me of my sins,” they can go on with their hidden sins and continue to cover them up.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil in my heart. Psalm 38:3-8

In the Bible, the word repent means, “to change one’s mind.” The Bible tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19). Covering sin, hiding sin, or not turning from sin is not true repentance. King David knew the value of having God search his heart. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24.

Sin forms a wall between us and God. God loves us, but He is Holy and He hates sin. Sin separates us from God. When we repent and turn away from sin, it opens the gate of blessings to rain down on us from heaven. God desires us to be in fellowship and unity with Him. God knows all of our secret sins anyway. He desires to shower us with His grace of repentance. If God has shown you an area of your life that needs to be repented and turned from, seek God’s free gift of forgiveness and break completely from that sin. No sin is too big for God, whether it is adultery, homosexuality, addictions, or any other sin.

Stop running away from God and hiding your sin. Jesus will forgive you as soon as you ask Him, and He will restore your life back to you. Is your life working out for you, or is there a path of destruction that has come into your life? The damage in your life may be a result of unconfessed sin. When you come to Christ just as you are, there is NO CONDEMANTION.

Describe a time when unconfessed sin was destructive to you. Thank you, your input can help others be set free from sin.