Not long ago, God led me into a new understanding of repentance. He began to reveal the idolatry and carnality I had in my life. ¹ I was a devoted Christian, but it really stood out to me how much of “the world” I had allowed to creep in — not only in my day-to-day life but also in my heart and mind. There were many things I had thought harmless that the Holy Spirit revealed were causing me to sin and separating me from God — books, movies, music, TV, foods, drinks, obsession with motorcycles — just to name a few. It launched me into a season of purging and ridding my life of many possessions and items in my home. There were many things in my heart that weren’t from God and were actually working against his plans for me. I fully repented for my involvement with loving some of the things of this world.

True repentance led me into water baptism. Actually, re-baptism. I had been baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit as a youngster in a pentecostal/charismatic church. Even though I made a decision to follow Jesus at that young age (and stuck with it), it took me over 40 years to understand the significance of true repentance. Growing up in a religious church culture had unfortunately hidden the truth behind a facade which fooled me into thinking all was good. Meanwhile, “permissible” sin and carnality were still present in my life.

I was re-baptised in a bathtub on a Wednesday evening by another true believer and follower of Jesus — my lovely wife! It was a turning point and a whole new beginning. It was like a death (to my old life) and a rebirth (to the spirit of God) in one moment. Following this, the Lord led me to read the entire Bible from cover to cover. I’d never had so much hunger for God’s word before — I was just eating it up! I read through as quickly as possible, wanting to absorb the entire story and not get delayed in so many of the amazing verses along the way. I began to see the grand picture unfolding and to see it from God’s perspective, and what a blessing it was. But it also broke my heart. I had only made it a few chapters into the book of Genesis when I read this:

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

(Genesis chapter 6, verses 5 and 6)

I felt God’s pain right there. The pinnacle of his creation, humankind, completely debased and entirely broken. Having been shown such love from God, they threw it back in his face in rebellion. And it wasn’t just those people long ago. It was me too, I did that. I broke God’s heart.

Understanding the significance of that brought me to my knees. I saw the need for true repentance. I began to see, right throughout the Bible, God’s desire to restore broken humanity. His continual urging people to repentance, to turn from their idolatrous, rebellious ways and return to him. From the books of the prophets through to the gospels of Jesus, the message was simple and clear; “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near”.

I pray that this message of repentance will pierce right through into your own life. I would strongly urge, even plead with you to experience for yourself the acceptance of God — his incredible love and lasting peace — by returning to him through repentance, and receiving forgiveness through the sacrifice of his only son, Jesus.

Sincerely,
William

I hope you’re beginning to understand a little more about repentance. But why is it even needed? Let’s take a look at a short backstory as to why repentance is a thing in the first place…