Grace and Wrath Podcast

Ep. 163: Repentance – Luke 13:3
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to delve into the profound topic of repentance, a term often mentioned but seldom understood in its fullness. Our reference verse comes from Luke 13:3, where Jesus says, "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." To understand this verse, we must first understand the concept of repentance. The Greek word for repentance is 'metanoia,' which means a change of mind or direction. It's not merely about feeling regret or sorrow for our sins but involves a complete turning away from our old selves and turning towards God. It's a transformation of our minds, hearts, and actions. Repentance is not just a one-time event that occurs at the beginning of our Christian journey. It's a continuous process, a daily decision to turn away from sin and align ourselves with God's will. Just as we are called to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23), we are also called to repent daily. Now, let's go a bit deeper into the context of Luke 13:3. Jesus was addressing the common misconception that bad things only happen to bad people. He was referring to two tragic incidents where people lost their lives - the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices and those who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. Jesus refuted the notion that these people were worse sinners than others because they suffered in such a manner. Instead, He used these tragedies to emphasize the universal need for repentance. He warned that unless they repented, they would all also perish. This message is as relevant today as it was then. We live in a world marred by sin, suffering, and death. Every day, we witness or experience pain, injustice, disease, and loss. These are stark reminders of our mortal state and our desperate need for a Savior. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2), and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But God, in His infinite love and mercy, provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Repentance, therefore, is our response to this amazing grace. It's our acknowledgment of our sinfulness, our need for forgiveness, and our decision to follow Jesus. It's a change of mind that leads to a change of action. As J.I. Packer said, "Repentance is more than just sorrow for the past; it is a determination to pursue a different future." It involves a conscious decision to turn away from everything that dishonors God and to seek His righteousness instead. But how do we repent? First, we must recognize our sins. We need to take an honest look at ourselves in the light of God's Word and acknowledge where we've fallen short. This requires humility and a willingness to accept correction. Next, we must confess our sins. We need to agree with God about our sins, call them what He calls them, and turn from them. The Bible promises that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Then, we must make restitution where possible. If our sins have harmed others, we should do what we can to make things right. This might involve apologizing, returning what we've stolen, or restoring a reputation we've damaged. Lastly, we must forsake our sins. This means making a commitment not to repeat the same sins. It's not enough to say we're sorry; we must also strive to change our behavior. Remember, repentance is not a work we do to earn salvation. We can't earn God's forgiveness; it's a gift freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. But repentance is the appropriate response to God's grace. It's the way we align our lives with the reality of what God has done for us in Christ. So, let us heed Jesus' warning in Luke 13:3. Let us not harden our hearts, but let us repent and turn to God.