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Repentance and Freedom
“In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.” Psalm 118:5
Jesus began His ministry with a call to repentance, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) At another time, Jesus said He needed to go to the next town to preach the good news of the kingdom. (Luke 4:43) Repentance is good news, for we have a heavenly Father who hears, forgives and restores us to Himself and to His kingdom. Yet, how many of us think of repentance as good news?
The Hebrew and Greek words for “repent” mean change of mind, grieving over one’s wrongdoing and turning from self back to God, a re-orientation of our personality. Most of us don’t want to change our minds or our desires, even if they are harmful. We think we know best what will make us happy. In addition, too many of us wrongly think that confession will bring God’s punishment. So we deaden our consciences and avoid the feelings of guilt and shame that could lead us to repentance and a better life.
For many years I suffered from the childish idea that God was waiting for me to do something wrong so He could punish me. I know now that I will experience the natural consequences of my foolishness, but if I confess and repent, God does not deal with me according to my wrongdoing. (Psalm 103:10-12) God’s forgiveness and love are waiting for me whenever I turn back to Him because He does not want anything to separate me from Him.
Repentance may be difficult for us at times, but everything Jesus calls us to do is for our blessing. Jesus lived and died to free us from our bondage to sin and self. It is through our sincere repentance that we are freed, for we are turning from sin and reliance on ourselves back to obedience and faith in God. This does not mean we will never repeat a wrong, but it means that God’s love and forgiveness gradually heal our harmful desires and we are less vulnerable to temptation and sin.
Jesus told His disciples, “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, the kingdom of God is near you.” (Luke 10:9) In addition to connecting repentance to the kingdom of God, Jesus also connected healing to the kingdom. We can safely say then, that repent- ance and healing are also closely connected. Repentance opens us to the truth about ourselves, about our relationship with God and with others. When we act on the truth God has revealed, we are set on the road to forgiveness, freedom and health. (John 8:32)
In the Hebrew language, the root of the word “forgiveness” means to lift or to carry away. In the Greek it means to release, to send away or to loose. When we receive God’s forgiveness, the burden of our weakness or woundedness is lifted from us and we experience freedom and healing.
“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David says, ‘I have heard your prayer and seen your tears, I will heal you.” II Kings 20:5b
Jesus declared, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:7,10) No doubt the angels rejoice because they know that repentant sinners experience the freedom and blessing of God’s forgiveness.
“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” Proverbs 28:13-14
If we do not repent, our unwillingness to change will gradually diminish our relationships and our creative expression. We will not prosper. Those who fear the Lord, however, will be blessed. The word “fear” in Hebrew primarily means reverential awe. Our reverence for God prompts us to confess and repent of our wrongdoing. God will bless us and we will prosper.
The apostle Peter knew firsthand the transforming power of repentance. Three times he had betrayed our Lord and was devastated by his failure. (Matthew 26:69-75) Jesus knew Peter’s repentant heart and forgave him. Peter was changed from a frightened and unlearned fisherman into a courageous and articulate disciple. Despite the danger to his life, Peter implored people to repent. (Acts 2:38)
Sometimes we need to ask God to help us in our repentance. We may be ready to confess and repent of something, but it is only the symptom of an underlying problem. David knew that he must ask for God’s help, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) David also knew that he could not depend solely on his willpower for his change of heart. He needed God’s help in order to change, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”
(Psalm 51:10,12)
Even after our confession and repentance, some of us remain burdened by a sense of guilt because we cannot accept God’s forgiveness. We may need to ask God to help us receive His forgiveness. Or perhaps we need to recall the parable of the prodigal son. He returned from his wayward ways, wanting to be forgiven and be reinstated in his father's love. When he reached home he discovered that his father had already forgiven him and loved him without any conditions. God’s forgiveness is always available to us because Jesus accomplished everything for us. He paid the price for us once and for all, and it was the most costly that could be paid -- His life on the cross. God is waiting for us to turn back to Him. It is up to us. All that is needed is our humble confession and repentance and we are gradually freed.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
John 8:36
Thoughts to Ponder
Is repentance sometimes difficult for you? If so, why?
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” How will repentance help you to receive the blessings of God’s kingdom?
Suggestion for Prayer-Listening
Heavenly Father, is there some misdeed, pride or negative thinking I need to confess to you? Is there something I need to understand that will help me to change?
Suggestion for Meditation
In the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), Jesus seeks the one who has become separated from His fold and brings him back to the safety of His love.
Imagine yourself as one whom Jesus is seeking, finding, and returning to His love.
One of the reasons I often forget to include repentance in my prayers is because I don’t want to acknowledge my faulty thinking or negative feelings. I would rather overlook them. However I need to remember that they will not go away by overlooking them. They will soon show up in my behavior. (Matthew 12:34-35)
It is best for me to ask the Lord what He wants me to repent of. He will often show me a harmful attitude about myself or about others. When I offer these up to Him in prayer I ask Him to reveal the root cause of my thinking and to heal me. I know that the healthier my thoughts, the healthier my actions and relationships will be.
And if we ask the Lord, He will help us in our repentance and will renew our hearts so our desires and actions are pleasing to Him. (Ezekiel 36:26-27) We will become more effective as His ambassadors!