Why is it that People Resist Repentance When it is Truly the Only Way to Deliverance?
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to deliverance and leaves no regret (2 Cor 7:10a)
What is repentance? Here is an article I wrote about the topic: What is True Repentance of Sin? How Do I Know I Am Walking in God’s Light?,
Charles Spurgeon writes about repentance:
Repentance is a discovery of the evil of sin, mourning that we have committed it, and making a resolution to forsake it. It is, in fact, a change of mind of a very deep and practical character, which makes the man love what once he hated, and hate what once he loved.
I would be remiss not to mention this upfront: without the Person and work of Yeshua (Jesus Christ), repentance would be ineffective. Scripture clearly specifies that this is an undeniable fact (Isa 53; Rom 3:25; 1 John 2:2; etc.).
All throughout the Bible we see people being called to repentance. God the Father, Jesus, the prophets and apostles, and all Godly characters in the Scriptures who preached salvation and deliverance – every one of them clearly communicated the need for people to repent. Repentance does not result from just believing in God (see the article: Is “Believing” in God Enough?). But, rather as we believe and make a decision to trust and follow Christ, we then repent and shed our old ways (2 Cor 7:1). We will begin to live as a new creation and let the old pass away (2 Cor 5:17), only after truly and biblically repenting, having our hearts circumcised by the Lord (Deut 30:6-8; Jer 24:7; Ezek 11:19, 36:26; etc.). Simply stated, and there is no way around it – if repentance (and the resulting fruit) is not occurring in someone’s life, and there is no corresponding conviction upon failure, chances are extremely high that the person is not a Christ-follower. It is impossible to decide to follow Christ and not be transformed from our old sinful ways (Rom 8:29; Eph 2:8-10; etc.). Repentance is an instrumental part in the transformational (sanctification) process.
John the Baptist, the divinely chosen forerunner of Christ for His first coming, preached a message of repentance. “Repent,” he urged, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). Jesus also called for repentance, “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17). The apostle Paul went to the Jews and Greeks alike preaching a message of “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21 25). Notice how in each case the call for repentance is linked to the gospel message. It tells us that a “repentance call” is at the core of the gospel message. Repentance is evidence of true salvation, and also actively part of the true child of God’s life and practice (John 1:12). In the last book of the Bible and in God’s final words to mankind, it says over and over again…REPENT (Rev 2:5,16, 21,22, 3:3,19, 9:20,21, 16:9,11)!
Why then do people who call themselves “God’s children” often resist the topic of repentance, this versus richly and passionately embracing it? I mean it is the ultimate avenue to bridge the holy to the unholy, specifically God to men. Repentance required the ultimate sacrifice to make it effective; the death of God’s One and Only Son, Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus Christ). It was the ultimate act of love! Salvation and effective repentance is a free gift to mankind from the LORD. [And to be clear: a gift is not technically a gift unless it is given and accepted. An intended gift that is never accepted cannot be called a gift. Even Merriam-Webster would agree, as its definition of a gift is “something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation.” Without the transfer and acceptance, it is not a gift.] True Christ-followers love repentance – a priceless gift of God!
If you don’t repent, then you, too, will all die. (Luke 13:3)
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)
God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent. (Acts 17:30b)
So to the point of this post – why is it that people resist repentance, versus more appropriately loving this ultimate gift from God, especially because it is truly the only way of deliverance? To me, there is a simple one-word answer to this question. PRIDE! And remember this, God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble! (Psa 138:6; Prov 3:34, 29:23; Matt 23:12; Luke 1:52; Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5)
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)
The root of all evil/sin is pride (see The Root of All Evil: PRIDE). And “pride precedes destruction” (Prov 16:18a). The foundational reason people resist repentance I truly believe is pride! They are not humble enough to admit they are a sinner and need a Savior and a High Priest to continually intercede for them (Heb 7:24-25). They think they can save themselves and make up for their wrongs. Well, no one could (Rom 3:10,23; etc.). Humble people, instead, love repentance and embrace it for what it is – the greatest gift to mankind, made effective by Jesus Christ, through the greatest act of love…EVER!
To note: prayers of repentance are ALWAYS available to those who surrender to God and choose to recite them, up until their last heartbeat. And God ALWAYS honors them (Prov 28:13; 1 John 1:9; etc.).
The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. (Prov 15:29)
If you resist the topic or practice of repentance, which is an act of God working in and through a person, chances are you will not inherit eternal life, but instead be facing God’s wrath. Repentance is NOT a human work (see Confession and Repentance is NOT a Human Work!)! You will perish and dwell in hell, and then ultimately in the everlasting lake of fire, if there is no active repentance in your life. You are not indwelled with the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9-11; Eph 1:13-14, 4:30; etc.) if there is no repentance; as active repentance is proof positive of true salvation.
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Pet 3:9)
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. (Rev 3:19)
So then…do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Rom 2:4)
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, 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)
Here’s how, click here… Knowing God