Is repentance necessary in the life of the believer?
Yes. And we see this critical truth in 1 John 1:9, which says, “If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Now, repentance isn’t
mentioned in that verse. But let’s take a closer look.
Remember, “to repent” simply means to change your mind.
For unbelievers, this refers to a decision about where to find
security. But for believers, it involves a change of heart in behavior
or attitude. Repentance is an ongoing decision to lead an obedient,
Christlike life.
In 1 John, this choice is represented by the word confess,
which originally meant “agree with.” In other words, if you confess
your wrongdoing to God, you’re coming into agreement with Him about
that sin. Here, confession isn’t a matter of salvation. It means to
allow God to continually reform your mind and mold you more and more
into the image of His Son.
God absolutely hates sin. So if you agree with Him about
sin, then you’re changing your mind about the disobedience in your
life. Thoughts, attitudes, and actions that once seemed perfectly
natural will no longer fit who you are. As God continues to work in
your life, your mind will gradually reject old thought patterns. You’ll
more closely represent His way of thinking.
Is there sin in your life that has become too much to
bear? Confess it to God. Allow Him to change your mind about it today.
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