Meaning of Repentance

The word “repent” means “to change, to turn around, and to go in a different direction.”  Genuine repentance is a “change of heart that produces a change of life.”  If there is no change of life, there is no genuine repentance.  Repentance “in the name of Jesus” means “to change because of Jesus” or “based on who Jesus is and what he has done and is doing.”  It is a spiritual change produced by the good news of Jesus because one wants to surrender to God because of Jesus. 

Jesus helps with our repentance in three ways.  First, he is the reason or motivation to repent.  When we realize what God did for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are moved by that awesome gift of love, grace and mercy to repent and turn to God.  The cross changes our hearts, humbles us and moves us to call on God to be saved.  Second, he gives us the opportunity to repent.  God “grants repentance unto life” by privileging us by his grace to hear about Jesus and be saved (Acts 11:18).  Third, the Holy Spirit, who was sent to glorify Jesus, convicts our hearts of sin, righteousness and judgment when we hear the good news of Jesus (John 16: 8-11, 14).