What does repentance mean? The dictionary says: the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings. What does God’s word say?
Luke 3:2-3 While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of the Lord came to John the son of Zachariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching “A baptism of repentance” for the remission of sins.
Matthew 3:5-6 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan, went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
John brought God’s word to the people to repent, to turn from their sin and back to God. The baptism with water was the symbol of the washing of sins away that were confessed. Then we are to go and sin no more. God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us in this and to guide us. Only Jesus was sinless. Are we listening? Are we letting others drown out Jesus teaching?
2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
In this we see steps: 1) God is speaking to His people who know His laws. 2) Put away our pride, humble ourselves and confess our wrongs and sin no more. 3) Pray and seek God. 4) Good hears the prayers of those who humble themselves knowing our hearts and He answers with forgiveness and healing. We are also to confess our sin to one another. We are to apologize to the one we have done wrong and if at all possible make it right.
Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the alter, and there remember that your brother has something against you leave your gift there before the alter, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
God gave us commandments to love Him by keeping His word which can be summed up in love your neighbor as yourself, do unto them as you “WANT” done for you. This is not if they treat you the way you want to be treated but even if they don’t so that we love God and obey Him. Are we listening?
