Words of Reflection
The word “repent” is often misunderstood, or at least understood in an incomplete way. For some it means simply acknowledging the truth of sin in our lives. For others it means feeling deep regret for our sin and its consequences. And still for others it means asking for forgiveness so that we no longer carry the weight of our sin.
All of these are part of the process we go through when we repent. But even as wonderful and transformative as each of these actions can be, they are incomplete in and of themselves. There is still one more thing that is needed before we can truly call it “repentance.”
In Acts 3 when the Apostle Peter speaks to those amazed by the healing of a lame beggar at the temple gate, he uses the opportunity to share with them the message of salvation, issuing this call:
“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 (NIV)
He pairs the idea of repenting with the physical act of turning: away from sin and towards the God who has power to set them free. The Greek word Luke uses here for “repent,” metanoeo, means to change one’s mind. It’s more than acknowledging our sin and being sorry for it, it’s making a conscious decision to leave it behind. It’s committing ourselves to God’s process of transformation in our lives and walking away from the things that hinder that growth.
This is a helpful image for us on our Lenten journey. The very nature of the season tells us our destination: the cross of Christ. But we are not only walking towards something, we are walking away from something as well. We are walking away from the “sin that so easily entangles” (Heb. 12:1), away from our old self and its rebellious ways. We walk away as a choice, an act of deliberate rejection of that which is unhealthy which then opens us to receive what God has for us.
The call to us goes beyond acknowledging, feeling remorse, and confessing. If we want to embrace true, biblical repentance, it also means we need to turn around and head the other way, the way of the Cross.
Scripture for Meditation:
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
—Isaiah 55:6-7 (NRSV)
Song: Turn Your Eyes (lyrics here)
Questions for Reflection
What helps you to “turn your eyes” in your walk with Jesus? What can you do during this Lenten season to be more intentional about leaving behind habits, behaviors, and thought patterns that lead you away from God? How can you be more open to hearing his voice calling you back?
Repentance is not about guilt or shame, but so often when we address our sin we fall into those patterns so easily. How might we give the Holy Spirit more freedom in our lives to do the tender work of conviction in ways that lead to spiritual health, rather than falling victim to our own self-condemnation?
One seminary professor identified four components of repentance: 1) turning away from evil, 2) turning toward God out of love for God, 3) through faith in Jesus and his saving work, 4) so that one may receive the forgiveness of one’s sins. Spend some time reading each of those separately, slowly, and prayerfully. Note the movement of your heart and soul as you do so: what catches your attention? Is there one part in the journey of repentance that God is calling you to spend some time contemplating more deeply?