The exploration of repentance began while we were studying the book of Revelation with a young men's discipleship group. The word "repent" is found in Revelation more than any other Bible book. Twelve times it is written. If you take into account the various forms of the word, the top three books are Luke, Revelation and Acts, in that order. At its root, repent means "to perceive afterward, with the implication of being too late to avoid consequences."(Wuest) This is very instructive for us. It is after an action or a way of living or a way of speaking that one recognizes in his heart that it was wrong. His mind about that event changes. It seemed ok at the time or at least without consequence but now he recognizes that it was wrong. He perceived afterward. As a result, repentance is often defined as "to change one's mind."
God has given each one of us a conscience. This conscience is like firmware in your computer - it comes with it. It is part of the programming. This conscience gives us a general sense of right and wrong. All peoples in every society have a general sense of right and wrong - of rule, of law. Ultimately, our greatest need is to find that our wrong actions/words not only offend our own conscience but God Himself. We are all accountable to Him. He made us. It's His universe we live in. He set the whole thing in motion and the rules that govern it. Our problem is that sin has corrupted us and we don't want Him to rule. We don't want Him to rule us. We are the problem. The sin in us shows itself in our sinning. Our sins display to us that we are sinners. Yup.
The consequence of sin is death - a forever separation from God and all things good. That means all humanity is heading to forever sorrow, forever weakness, forever guilt, forever shame, forever inadequacy, forever pain, forever anger, forever and ever etc when they die. Where is the way? Where is the way out? God's way out begins with repentance. It is agreeing with God about the problem - our sin. Once this occurs, we find forgiveness only in Jesus and we are set free. It is time to repent.
