Jesus said, “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1: 15)
Peter said, “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2: 38)
Paul said God “commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17: 30)
No doubt, the church is for broken and imperfect people—broken people who hate what is broken in them and imperfect people who have renounced their sinful imperfections.
Of course, there is a lot more to following Jesus than repentance, but it’s certainly not less.
“Repent,” Jesus said, or “you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13: 5).
Regret is common enough; repentance is rare. True Spirit-wrought repentance entails a break with the old and the start of something new. That’s what the Greek word metanoia means — a change of mind that results in a change of life.
You change your mind about yourself: ‘I am not fundamentally a good person deep down. I am not the centre of the universe. I am not the king of the world or even my life.’
You change your mind about sin: ‘I am responsible for my actions. My past hurts do not excuse my present failings. My offenses against God and against others are not trivial. I do not live or think or feel as I should.’
You change your mind about God: ‘He is trustworthy. His word is sure. He is able to forgive and to save. I believe in his Son, Jesus Christ. I owe him my life and my allegiance. He is my King and my Sovereign, and he wants what is best for me. I will follow him no matter the cost.’
And then you change as God works in you to work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2: 12–13).
— Kevin DeYoung (adapted)