The Power of Repentance

Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming the good news about God. “The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). For centuries people had known about the existence of God. From the time of Moses and the Law they had acknowledged His presence and lived under the cover of His commands. Then a whole new set of rules and regulations - additional to the demands of God - began to appear, gradually brought in by the religious leaders of the time, causing controversy and division.

Jesus did not preach legal conformity to the word of God, but nothing less than the Kingdom of God itself. He spoke about a personal relationship with God, and the doorway to heaven as it became accessible through one word - repent. Originally this meant more than just saying sorry or carrying feelings of remorse or guilt. It meant a complete turn around, changing to the opposite direction, and a shifting of mindset and behaviour. It meant a complete reorientation towards God and the truth. It is the act of leaving what God has prohibited and returning to what He has commanded.

Today this is still the key that opens the door to life, and again it comes back to repentance. ‘Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you’ (James 1:21). We need to boldly approach the throne of grace, trusting not in ourselves, but in the righteousness and mercy of God.

The time is now. Delay only weakens our will. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17).

This is why the cross is so important, because this is where the old life was put to death and the new life rose victorious. It’s only by the cross of Jesus Christ that our transformation can begin. He took our sins upon Himself. We acknowledge this and surrender them to Him, turning our life around, walking away from the old, and on into the new.

But the important part is what comes after. Our life has to change. Our direction may need to be altered. We’re no longer on a journey of gratification and self satisfaction, or even a step into the unknown. But we’re fixing our eyes on a destination that only God can provide, holding fast to His promises. “You will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21).

It’s an exciting walk, having got rid of the burden of sin that would weigh us down, and walking free into the future that God has prepared for us. And we’re not alone. The One who walks with us is the One who Himself has trodden the path of worldly pain and sorrow, and prepared the way, so our walk becomes a glorious declaration of transformation.