Biblical Repentance: Finding Forgiveness and PeaceSample

So what does repentance really look like, and do I truly need it?

To see what repentance looks like in real life, all we need to do is turn to the story of Zacchaeus. He was the tax collector who cheated, stole and lived lavishly on his ill-gotten gains — until he met Jesus.

He trusted Jesus and had a radical change of mind:

“Look, Lord!” said Zacchaeus. “Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus happily proclaimed that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’s house and that even the tax collector was now “a son of Abraham,” a reference to Zacchaeus’s faith. The cheat became a philanthropist; the thief made restitution. That’s repentance coupled with faith in Christ that led to good works.

Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about your sin. That means sin is no longer to be taken lightly, ignored, or something to toy with; it is something to be forsaken. It is also changing your mind about Jesus Christ—no longer is He to be mocked, discounted, or ignored; He is the Savior to be embraced and the Lord to be worshiped and adored.

Father God, make me aware of my sin and never allow me to be comfortable in it. I praise Jesus for revealing himself to me, and I seek to bring glory to Him in all I do. I pray this all in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.