Repent
Matthew 4:17 (NLT) “From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Did you ever think that saying I’m sorry to God isn’t enough. It is a start towards repentance, but it isn’t taking the action or direction towards repentance. Saying I’m sorry is just an emotion. Feeling sorry is emotionally sad about something. But it isn’t a change of mind, behavior, or character.
Right after Jesus came from the wilderness, He started preaching to the people. Jesus’ mission is to get the message out to the people to repent of their sins. Repent means to change your mind opposite from what you used to think. It comes from the Greek work Metanoeo (Strong’s Concordance G3340). It is the same word that we use today called Metamorphic.
God doesn’t want an emotional acknowledge from you that you sinned. He is looking for a change of mind and character. In other words, a change from within. What good is it to only say, “Sorry Lord,” then return to the same sin? That is meaningless.
Jesus said something very important. The Kingdom of Heaven is near. People who choose not to repent will not have access to God’s Kingdom. God does make provisions of forgiving us of our sins if we confess them to Him, then decide not to continue doing the same thing. (1 John 1:9) A perfect example is the woman who was caught in adultery. According to the Jewish Law, the punishment was to be stoned to death. But Jesus had something different to say:
John 8:9-11 (NLT) “9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Did you see what Jesus said? Jesus said, I don’t accuse you; meaning I have forgiven your sin. Go and sin no more; meaning, repent and don’t continue doing the same thing. Change your mind and your actions. Was the woman sorry? Of course! They caught her in adultery and were about to stone her to death. But Jesus offered forgiveness. The same thing that God wants to do with us. Confess your sins to Him because the Lord is eager to forgive you! Then repent!
Be Blessed
Ron
Ron Cobbs Ministries © Copyright August 6th, 2026, All Rights Reserved
