1 JOHN 1:9 says this: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
To be born again, and receive a new life and heart from God, you need to repent! There is no bypassing this “step”. It is part of the foundation of salvation, and it is crucial.
Repentance is more than a feeling of sorrow. It is a deliberate turning of the heart away from sin and towards God.
Many experience regret, but true repentance goes much deeper than that. It involves recognizing sin for what it is, confessing it honestly, and choosing to walk in a new direction.
In this turning, God does not only forgive; He also cleanses. He removes the unrighteousness that once shaped our desires and actions, making room for a renewed life through His Spirit.
The biblical concept of repentance comes from the Greek word metanoia, meaning a “change of mind.”
Yet this change is not shallow. It affects how we think about God, ourselves, and righteousness.
It is a transformation of how you view God and yourself and life, that leads to a transformation of life. When the mind is renewed, the direction of life follows.
This is why John the Baptist called people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
True repentance is visible! It produces fruit. New attitudes, new actions, and a consistent pursuit of holiness.
It is not perfection, but a clear change in direction and desire to be like Christ!
In the same way, Paul the Apostle teaches that “godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Godly sorrow draws us toward God and results in lasting change, while worldly/fleshly regret will leave us unchanged.
True repentance is to experience godly sorrow over your sin, you turn from the sin you once loved and turn to Jesus and follow Him!
That will lead to a changed life that bears lasting fruit!
As you can see, you can’t follow Jesus and be truly born again without repentance.
Have you truly repented? (HEIN SWARTS)
Kingdom News: It starts with repentance
Contact Hein Swarts at 060 729 9512 if you have any prayer requests.