Recently, at groupbiblestudy.com, we've been contemplating revival. Today, we focus on our part in fostering revival within our community. True revival led by the Holy Spirit always starts with repentance.
But what does repentance entail? George Kurian, a Christian scholar and historian, defines it as "contrition, the acknowledgment, and condemnation of one's sins together with a turning back toward God… it includes sorrow, confession, and a determination not to sin again" (Nelson’s New Christian Dictionary, p. 654).
What is Repentance in the Bible?
Most people are familiar with the Holy Spirit coming on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, powerfully filling the disciples. The Apostle Peter stood up and preached the Gospel, and the Word of God touched the hearts of 3,000 people as they saw their leader's rejection of the Messiah. They responded, "'Brothers, what shall we do?'"
Peter told them:
"Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Mark records Jesus’ first words of ministry this way:
"'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'" (Mark 1:15).
The only way into the kingdom of God is through repentance toward God and by receiving Christ's substitutionary death as God's payment for your sin.
False Repentance vs. Genuine Heart Change
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce.” Do not fall into false repentance, for many who seem to repent are like sailors who throw their goods overboard in a storm and wish for them again in calm waters.
The Jews in Jesus’ day didn't need to ask what the Lord meant by calling for repentance, because before Jesus appeared, His forerunner, John the Baptist, had already been calling for the nation's repentance.
John the Baptist and the Call to Bear Fruit
John preached a baptism of repentance, urging people to turn their hearts to God. In times of revival, when the Spirit of God moves powerfully, people travel miles to hear biblical teaching from a man of God who speaks God's truth. This desire for pure truth is why many went to see John the Baptist in the dry, barren wilderness by the River Jordan. John's ministry of calling Israel to repentance was described in a prophetic word through Isaiah:
"And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.”' So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, 'You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham for our father," for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire'" (Luke 3:3-9).
In those days, when a king arrived in a specific land, his servants would go ahead and command that the roads be repaired so there were no potholes or fallen rocks, or that the roads be widened if needed for the king's chariot to pass. The highways were to be straight, and the path was to be made smooth. John's preaching declared that we must clear the rocks from the way for the Messiah's path.
How to Apply True Biblical Repentance in Your Life
Recognizing the need for repentance is just the first step; pulling the rocks out of our spiritual pathway requires daily, intentional action. To move from understanding to application, try focusing on these three steps:
Conduct a "Heart Highway" Inspection: Just as the king's servants cleared out potholes and rocks, sit in quiet prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the obstacles in your life. Are there "potholes" of hidden habits, or "boulders" of unforgiveness and pride blocking your relationship with God? Write them down to make them concrete.
Move Beyond the Emotion: Remember Spurgeon's warning about the sailors who only throw cargo overboard during the storm. True repentance isn't just feeling bad because things are going wrong; it is a deliberate decision to change direction. Turn your confession into a specific commitment (e.g., "I will stop speaking negatively about my coworker and instead pray for them").
Bear Tangible Fruit: Ask yourself, if someone looked at my life this week, what visible evidence would they see of my turning back toward God? True repentance always leaves a paper trail of changed behavior, restored relationships, and a renewed hunger for God's truth.
Preparing the Way for True Revival
I don't know about you, but I long for Jesus to come. Before He returns, I dream of witnessing a genuine move of the Spirit that brings millions into the Kingdom of God. If we desire the Lord's presence and revival power today, He won't come unless His church gets things right with Him through repentance.
Let's reflect more on this tomorrow.— Keith Thomas
Continue Your Spiritual Journey…
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Series: This excerpt is taken from the series called: On Fire With the Holy Spirit.