Here are 3 simple steps for how to repent to Jesus and grow closer to God. Repentance is simply thinking differently, which leads to living differently. And who doesn’t need that?
“Oh that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with Your commands” (Psalm 119:5-6).
I just concluded a hygiene workshop in an African town, in which we addressed how diarrheal related diseases can be transmitted. I’m sure you’re sorry you missed it!
After sharing the importance of washing hands and latrines, there erupted quite a stir among the women. They seemed passionate and angry. Wondering if I offended or angered them in some way, I asked the translator to help me understand.
They were angry. But not against me.
They were angry and ashamed because newfound wisdom confronted their foolishness and laziness.
They realized that their actions were a major cause of their families’ sicknesses. They proceeded to confess their “hygiene sins,” such as leaving diapers on the counter near food, and not cleaning latrines for months.
These dear women were undergoing a surgery of the mind. When they compared their lifestyle to the hygiene training, they saw a massive disparity that required change. I asked them what they were going to do. They heartily responded, “Clean the latrines!” It sounded like a team’s cheer before a big game.
I asked when. “Today!” they shouted.
That’s one of my favorite stories of repentance!
Repentance?!
Oh, that big, bad word! It often sends shivers down the spine or forms lumps in the throat. We tense up when the preacher uses it. We hope it’s not meant for us. We’d prefer something fun or affirming. Repentance sounds too serious, old-timey, religious, mean, or negative.
But what if repentance is a good word?
What if learning how to repent to Jesus precedes transformation and growth?
What if learning how to repent to Jesus is the catalyst for victory and revival?
Before we bristle or crumble under this word, remember that repentance is simply thinking differently, which leads to living differently.
And who doesn’t need that?
You know, those women could’ve been upset with me. Who are you to come here and tell us we are wrong? (Which I didn’t. I simply presented the hygiene lessons. But it can be taken that way.)
They could’ve blamed or criticized others. At least my counter is cleaner than hers.
They could’ve clung to their own thinking. Baby’s poop is smaller, so it’s not as bad. (Which isn’t true.)
Instead, they let truth:
- change their minds.
- change their hearts.
- change their lifestyles.
And their lives, homes, communities, and churches benefited!
As we draw closer to God, learning how to repent to Jesus will at times be the best (or only) response.
How does it work? (See 2 Corinthians 7:7-11.)
1. The first step in learning how to repent to Jesus is ALARM.
God’s truth confronts our thinking.
Initially, the Good News does this at salvation. For example, many believe they’re okay with God because they’re good enough. Others believe they’re too bad to ever be right with God. The cross calls everyone a sinner, but then reveals Jesus as the great Savior to everyone who asks Him for forgiveness of sins. We enter this new life of following Jesus as repentant people. The truth of the Gospel changed our minds and hearts, and then changed everything (2 Corinthians 5:17)!
But learning how to repent to Jesus is not a one-time-only event.
We continue following Jesus as repentant people, as we discover (or rediscover) His truth in a sermon, someone’s example, or a Bible verse.
When God’s truth confronts you, what do you do?
2. The second step in learning how to repent to Jesus is AGREEING with God.
As followers of Jesus, we regard His truth as greater than our thoughts or lifestyles. God’s goal is for us to be like Jesus. Wow, I have a long way to go! I can have attitudes, responses, pursuits, passions, and perspectives that are very different from His. This doesn’t surprise God, but neither is He apathetic about it. He is attempting to perform this in me whether I want it, like it, know it, or comply with it or not.
How often do we see Jesus correcting His disciples? (Hint: A lot!)
Growth is stunted when we become set in our ways, when we no longer compare our lives with God’s truth, when we only want affirmation and comfort, when we just try to justify our actions.
3. The third step in learning how to repent to Jesus is we ADJUST.
After letting the truth change our minds and hearts, now we change our lives. If we knew how life-changing repentance is, if we could look and see the fruit coming, we’d be less inclined to stubbornly hold tight to our own ways and more inclined to respond heartily like the African women. Their minds and hearts were soft enough to receive the truth. As a result, they changed their ways.
In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus, like a CEO, “inspects” seven churches. Only two emerge without fault. While circumstances and errors varied among the other five, Jesus’ conclusive instruction was the same: repent. He called for change, starting in their minds. Would they accept His authoritative words and discard their own thinking and lifestyles, or cling to their own?
Here’s where you are.
Here’s where I want you to be.
Repentance is key to getting there.
However they responded would lead to life change, but only through learning how to repent to Jesus would they experience victory and reward.
(For more examples of God’s people repenting, see: Psalm 51:16-17, Job 42:5-6, and Isaiah 6:5-7.)
An Example of How to Repent to Jesus: Arrested by One Word!
Recently, while reading the Bible, the word cunning gripped me (Alarm). I knew God was revealing this in my heart, so I humbly confessed it back to Him (Agreeing with God). I asked forgiveness from God and another person, trading my cunning ways for trusting God (Adjust). I was thankful for God’s correction—who knows what my error would’ve yielded if left unchecked?
The Bible is not just to give us helpful information.
It’s meant to change us.
Yes, repentance is a good word, rich with promise and potential. How have you experienced “alarm, agree, and adjust?” To find additional practical exercises and journaling helps for learning how to repent to Jesus, check out Up Close: A Spiritual Life Notebook to Fuel Your Growth in Christ.