Life Application Topic Repentance

“Repent” means make a 180-degree turn: however well intended, you’re going the wrong way! Turn around. But not just to try a different direction. God says, Turn to me.” Repentance is the restoration of a fractured relationship with God. The prophet doesn’t grind our faces in guilt; instead he announces we’re about to get swept up in the marvelous grace of God. And we repent together: Zechariahs’ call is a plural imperative. Wesley called repentance “the porch” that leads into the house of true religion (see Sermon 14: “The Repentance of Believers,” para1). God is waiting for us on that porch with a sign: “Welcome Home.”

                            -Wesley Study Bible pg 1145

Core Term Repentance

Repentance represents godly sorrow for one’s sin, confession of it, and the resolve to turn from sin. It involves more than just confessing sin. Repentance involves sorrow over betraying God and others, and it results in resolve not to continue sinning. Wesley considers repentance an act of faith that leads to conversion (Sermon 1: “Salvation by Faith,” paraIII.4). Repentance includes turning away from sin and toward God. Thus it should become a lifelong habit of holy living. Sanctification heightens one’s sensitivity to and conviction of sin and the need to repent of sins – sins of commission and omission, personal and social sins, and so on. The Bible contains wonderful promises to those who repent. Penitents receive, for example, comfort and answers to prayer. Most important, they receive pardon for sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. Zechariah speaks of the need for repentance and of the just consequences of not repenting (1:1-6). Certainly God responds compassionately to all who truly repent.

                        - Wesley Study Bible (pg 1143)