What Is Repentance?
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God with a sincere heart and changed actions.
Call to Repent
- Acts 3:19 (NIV)
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
- Matthew 4:17 (NIV)
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
- Mark 1:15 (NIV)
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
- Ezekiel 18:30 (NIV)
“Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”
God’s Mercy in Repentance
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
“If my people… will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven… and will heal their land.”
- Joel 2:13 (NIV)
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate…”
- Luke 15:7 (NIV)
“There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Forgiveness After Repentance
- 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
- Acts 2:38 (NIV)
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.’”
Warning to the Unrepentant
- Luke 13:3 (NIV)
“But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
- Revelation 2:5 (NIV)
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
What are the Rewards of Repentance
The Bible teaches that repentance is not just about turning from sin — it’s a doorway to restoration, healing, and spiritual blessing. Below are the key rewards of genuine repentance, along with scripture references:
1. Forgiveness of Sins
Reward: God forgives and removes guilt and shame.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us… and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
2. Spiritual Refreshing and Renewal
Reward: Inner peace, clarity, and a renewed spirit.
Acts 3:19
“Repent… that your sins may be wiped out, and times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
3. Restored Relationship with God
Reward: Closer intimacy with God and the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 59:2
“Your iniquities have separated you from your God…”
But repentance brings reconciliation.
James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
4. Joy in Heaven
Reward: Rejoicing in heaven over your return.
Luke 15:7
“There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…”
5. Freedom from Judgment
Reward: Escaping spiritual death and eternal separation.
Luke 13:3
“Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Romans 8:1
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
6. Personal Transformation
Reward: A changed heart and a new way of living.
Ezekiel 36:26
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone…”
7. Access to Eternal Life
Reward: Entry into the Kingdom of God.
Acts 2:38
“Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Revelation 3:19-20
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock…”
Summary of Rewards of Repentance:
- ✅ Forgiveness
- ✅ Spiritual refreshing
- ✅ Closer walk with God
- ✅ Joy in heaven
- ✅ Freedom from judgment
- ✅ A transformed life
- ✅ Eternal life through Christ
Consequences of Not Repenting — Bible Verses
The Bible clearly teaches that while God’s mercy is abundant, refusing to repent has serious spiritual, emotional, and eternal consequences. Below is a collection of Bible verses on the consequences of not repenting, grouped for clarity:
1. Judgment and Spiritual Death
Luke 13:3 (NIV)
“But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Romans 6:23 (NIV)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Revelation 2:5 (NIV)
“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
2. Separation from God
Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)
“Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you…”
Proverbs 15:29 (NIV)
“The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”
3. Hardened Heart and Rejection of Truth
Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”
Romans 2:5 (NIV)
“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath…”
4. Stored Wrath and Future Judgment
Acts 17:30-31 (NIV)
“God… commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice…”
Hebrews 10:26-27 (NIV)
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment…”
5. Loss of Blessing and Peace
Jeremiah 5:25 (NIV)
“Your wrongdoings have kept these [blessings] away; your sins have deprived you of good.”
Psalm 66:18 (NIV)
“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
6. Eternal Consequences
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom… Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.’”
Revelation 21:8 (NIV)
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile… their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
The Good News:
While the consequences of not repenting are serious, God is patient, and still calls all to turn back to Him.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Evidence of True Repentance
True repentance in the Bible is more than saying “I’m sorry.” It’s a deep, heart-level turning from sin toward God — and it always produces visible fruit in a person’s life.
Here’s a breakdown of evidence that shows someone has genuinely repented, with supporting Bible verses:
1. A Changed Heart and Mind (Inner Transformation)
True repentance begins with a change of heart and mindset toward sin.
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
Romans 12:2
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
2. Turning Away from Sin
They stop willfully continuing in sin and seek to live differently.
Ezekiel 18:30
“Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”
Acts 26:20
“They should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.”
3. Confession and Humility
They openly confess sin and acknowledge their wrong before God and others.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…”
Psalm 51:17
“A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
4. Desire to Make Things Right (Restitution & Reconciliation)
Repentant people want to repair damage caused by sin — emotionally, relationally, or materially.
Luke 19:8-9 (Zacchaeus)
“If I have cheated anybody… I will pay back four times the amount.”
Matthew 5:23-24
“First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
5. Consistent Fruits of Righteousness (Changed Behavior)
Their actions begin to reflect a life that pleases God.
Matthew 3:8
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…”
6. Obedience to God’s Word
They seek to live in alignment with Scripture, even when it’s hard.
John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commands.”
1 Samuel 15:22
“To obey is better than sacrifice…”
7. Perseverance — Not Just a Moment, But a New Direction
True repentance shows lasting change, not temporary guilt.
Proverbs 24:16
“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…”
Revelation 2:5
“Repent and do the things you did at first.”
Summary: How You Know Someone Has Truly Repented
| Evidence | Description | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| Changed Mind | New attitude toward sin | Romans 12:2 |
| Turning from Sin | Stops habitual sin | Acts 26:20 |
| Confession | Humble, honest before God | 1 John 1:9 |
| Making Restitution | Righting past wrongs | Luke 19:8 |
| Good Fruit | Lifestyle of righteousness | Matthew 3:8 |
| Obedience | Desires to follow God’s Word | John 14:15 |
| Lasting Change | Not just emotion, but direction | Revelation 2:5 |