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One of the great hindrances in the growth and progress of individual Christians is the lack of repentance. Many fail to understand how important repentance is, or what repentance even means.
So what is repentance? Who needs to repent, and why? Gaining an understanding of this subject will help you in your walk with God.
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
The word "repent" means to change your mind, and involves turning from evil and turning towards God.
Mat 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
Acts 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.
Genuine repentance will result in a change of behaviour and the production of works that indicate a change of heart.
Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
All sinners need to repent, and according to Peter, in God's view, that includes everyone.
Notice also that repentance is a command; failure to repent is not just an oversight, it's disobedience.
Luke 24:46-47 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Acts 5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Repentance brings about remission (forgiveness) of sins.
Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
It is not possible to believe in the gospel without first repenting; believing without repentance is not true faith.
2 Cor 6:2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
2 Tim 2:25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
Yes, and no.
Obviously, one of the thieves who was crucified with Jesus repented in the last moments of his life and receive the promise of eternal life. (Luke 23:39-43)
However, if a person thinks that they can resist God, live whatever kind of life they want, and then suddenly repent, thereby gaining the best of both worlds, they are deceived.
The goodness of God leads a person to repentance; repentance is not initiated by us.
That's why God says that now is the acceptable time, while the opportunity is there, to take hold of salvation.
God is the one who grants repentance, and He doesn't give unlimited opportunities.
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