Importance of repentance

The call to repentance

Lk 5:32; Jas 5:19–20

See also Je 25:4–6; Eze 33:7–9; Mk 1:4; Lk 24:47; 2 Ti 2:24–26

Repentance opens the way for blessing

It is the only way to escape God’s judgment

Ezekiel 18:30–32 KJV 1900

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

See also Job 36:12; Je 18:7–8; Je 26:3; Ho 11:5; Jon 3:10; Lk 3:8–9; Re 2:5

It prepares the way for God’s kingdom

Matthew 4:17 KJV 1900

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

See also Mt 3:2

It brings forgiveness and restoration

2 Ch 7:13–14; Is 55:7

See also Dt 30:1–10; Ne 1:8–9; Job 22:23–25; Job 36:10–11; Is 44:22; Ac 2:38–39; Ac 3:19; Ac 5:31; Ac 11:18

God desires that all people should repent

He wants everyone to be saved

Ezekiel 18:23 KJV 1900

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

His patience with the unrepentant

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

See also Is 65:2; Ro 2:4; Re 2:21

His discipline encourages repentance

Jeremiah 31:18–20 KJV 1900

I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, As a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; For thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; And after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, Because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: Therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.

See also Is 10:20–21; Is 19:22; Ho 2:6–7; Ho 6:1

Taking God’s opportunity for repentance

Is 55:6; Ac 17:30–31

See also Heb 3:13–15; Heb 4:7; Ps 95:7–8

Refusing God’s opportunity for repentance

Examples of those who refuse to repent

Jeremiah 35:15 KJV 1900

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

See also Je 5:3; Mt 11:20; Mt 21:32; Re 9:20–21; Re 16:9–11

God confirms those who refuse to repent in their hardness of heart

Mt 13:14–15; Ac 28:25–27; Is 6:10

Repentance may not remove the effects of human sin

Nu 14:39–45 The Israelites’ repentance could not prevent the wandering that resulted from their refusal to enter the promised land; 1 Sa 15:24–26 Saul’s repentance is too late to escape God’s judgment on his kingship; 2 Sa 12:13–14 Despite David’s repentance the son of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba still died; Heb 12:16–17 Esau’s repentance could not bring back the birthright he had sold to Jacob.