Repentance Is More Than Sorrow
Another of the concepts that Satan has mangled badly is that of repentance. Most people, if asked to give a definition, would probably say it means "being sorry for the wrong you have done." While it will not damage any of us to experience sorrow for wrongdoing, the fact is that a sorrowful attitude does not constitute repentance. It also involves change.
Is it important to understand legitimate repentance? Luke 13:3 should impress us. The loving Savior says: "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Because of His love for mankind, Jesus reveals reality to us, which in this instance involves a stern warning.
The weather conditions we occasionally experience can sometimes change rapidly. Violent thunderstorms come upon us swiftly; temperatures can drop 20-30 degrees in one hour; tornadoes can be spawned. The radio or television may caution us: "Unless you move to a low-lying area, you might be killed by a tornado." On the east coast, people are urged to leave their homes when a Category 4 hurricane approaches.
Such warnings are prompted by love—not hate. Jesus knows spiritual realities. He knows that judgment will be rendered on all those who fail to repent of sins—and that the punishment will be death. Eternal death. Therefore, it is crucial that we understand what repentance is—change.
Just feeling sorry does not define repentance; changing one's actions must also be done. One, however, may prompt the other. Paul tells the Corinthians that their "sorrow led to repentance," (2 Cor. 7:9). He then adds: "Godly sorrow produces repentance" (v. 10).
Paul goes on to explain that there are two types of sorrow. The sorrow of the world is being sorry we got caught. Godly sorrow is recognizing that we sinned. Sin offends God and separates us from Him (Isa. 59:1-2).
When people say, "I'm sorry for what I've done," but then continue to do it, they have not repented. In other words, to actually repent of fornication or adultery, one would need to stop practicing the sin. One cannot have every intention of continuing to shoplift, lie, get drunk, etc., and be said to have repented at one and the same time.
Some may feel that if they don't know what all the sins are, they may not be held accountable in the judgment. Some may actually think that ignorance will somehow protect them. But since God has revealed to us all that we need to know about sin and salvation, the responsibility falls upon us to read, study, and learn the truth of these matters. God won't be accepting excuses on the Day of Judgment. As the apostle Paul spoke: "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).