Repentance changes our hearts as we turn away from our sins and toward God, where forgiveness is found. The prophet Jonah preached a short message to the people of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, where people were walking in spiritual darkness until they repented. Jonah 3:4 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” 5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. [1]
The parable of the prodigal son from the Gospel of Luke tells us about a young man who came to the end of himself and repented. God changed his heart as he walked out of darkness into the light of the living God.
Luke 15:17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ‘ [2]
Realizing My Sin
Repentance brings us to a place where we realize our sin. As we are convicted of sin, it is a sign the Lord is working in our lives for our good. In our story, a criminal is far from God and is headed for hell! But God had other plans to lead this man out of darkness and into his marvelous light.
Luke 23:39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [3]
Repentance Leads to Change
What happened to this criminal? He turned from his sin and turned toward God. The criminal repented and now had hope in the most difficult of circumstances. He was now walking in the Light on the last day of his life as he encountered the love of Jesus.
Don’t wait until your last hour. What is the Lord calling you to repent of? Whatever it is, the Lord wants to free you from sin that entangles you. He will strengthen us to repent as we call on his name. We do not have to fight this battle alone. Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.[4]
To learn how repentance changes our hearts, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/light-in-the-last-hour
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.