(Acts 17:30–31)
When Paul preached in Athens, he declared, “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent, because He has set a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30–31, NASB). Repentance is not just a religious word—it is the dividing line between spiritual life and death. Yet one of the greatest obstacles in the salvation of mankind is the human will. The call to repent is simple in its command but profoundly difficult in practice because it demands the surrender of self.
In our culture, where religious ideas are accessible and often familiar, it may not be hard to convince someone to believe in God. But it is far more difficult to bring a person to true repentance. Even facing death, some tremble—but still do not turn.
Even Jesus, in His earthly ministry, witnessed the refusal of people to repent despite clear evidence of His power. As He was about to leave Galilee, He rebuked the cities where His greatest miracles had occurred: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes… And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will go down to Hades!” (Matthew 11:21–23, NASB). Why? Not because they denied His teaching or disbelieved His power—but because they did not repent. Though He taught with authority and performed mighty works, their hearts remained unmoved.
If our Lord struggled to induce repentance, we should not be surprised that we do, too. Still, we must take up the challenge—because without repentance, there is no salvation. That makes it urgent that we understand both what repentance is and how it is brought about.
What Repentance Is—and Isn’t
Many might define repentance as “godly sorrow for sin.” But the Bible makes it clear: sorrow alone is not repentance. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10, NASB). Godly sorrow leads to repentance, but it is not repentance itself.
Some confuse repentance with reformation—a change in lifestyle or behavior. While true repentance leads to a transformed life, the outward change is the result of an inward decision—not the other way around. It’s the evidence of repentance, not the source of it. John the Baptist said, “Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance” (Luke 3:8, NASB). The crowds asked, “Then what are we to do?” and he responded with concrete instructions—stop stealing, stop abusing authority, be content with your wages (Luke 3:10–14, NASB). But these responses were to flow from a changed heart, not substitute for it.
Repentance, at its core, is a change of will—a surrender of our stubborn resistance to God. It is the decision to stop rebelling and begin obeying. It is when a person resolves to turn from sin and submit to the will of God.
How Is Repentance Brought About?
If repentance is so essential, why doesn’t everyone do it? Why does it seem so rare? The key is understanding what moves the heart toward repentance.
First, it is a gift. The early church rejoiced when the Gentiles repented, saying, “Well then, God has also granted to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18, NASB). In another sense, it is also a command: “God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent” (Acts 17:30, NASB). These two truths—gift and command—are not contradictory but complementary. Repentance is divinely initiated, yet humanly enacted. God grants the capacity and opportunity, but He also requires the response. Like faith, repentance is both enabled by grace and demanded by righteousness. God’s grace opens the door; our will must walk through it.
What tools does God use to move us to repentance?
1. The Terrors of Judgment
When Jonah preached in Nineveh, he simply declared: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4, NASB). The result? The entire city repented. They turned from violence, fasted, and cried out for mercy. Paul stood before the philosophers in Athens and warned them of a coming day of judgment (Acts 17:31, NASB). Fear of God’s righteous wrath is a legitimate and powerful motivation.
Jesus used this method as well: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!…” (Matthew 11:21, NASB). His rebukes highlighted how cities that had seen His miracles still refused to change. Judgment awakens the soul to danger.
2. The Goodness of God
God does not only use fear. He also draws us with love. Paul asked, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4, NASB). Every blessing we receive—sunshine, food, family, forgiveness—is a reason to turn back to Him.
Sometimes the quiet mercy of God is more powerful than loud warnings. The person who realizes just how patient God has been will be moved to say, “Why haven’t I repented sooner?”
3. The Gospel of Christ
God sent His Son. Christ died for sinners. The gospel is God’s appeal for reconciliation. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NASB). When that message is preached clearly, it gives men the opportunity and responsibility to repent. It’s not just fear of hell or the allure of blessings—it’s the cross. The love of Christ compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14, NASB).
Barriers to Repentance
Even with these motives, many resist. Why? Because the will is stubborn. Often, we know what’s right, but pride, fear, or habit keeps us from doing it. Jesus often confronted this hardened will: despite clear teaching and miracles, many still refused to submit to God.
Some resist by demanding more signs, more evidence. But Jesus said, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31, NASB).
How Long Should Sorrow Continue Before One is Ready?
Two biblical examples show how repentance readiness is not about a timetable, but about the heart’s response to truth.
Saul of Tarsus was confronted by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4, NASB). Blinded and humbled, he was led into the city, where he spent three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank (Acts 9:9, NASB). Those days broke his pride and prepared him to obey. His fasting and silence reflected deep conviction as he processed the reality that everything he had believed was wrong.
By contrast, the Philippian jailor witnessed an earthquake, the prison doors flung open, and Paul and Silas remaining in place (Acts 16:25–28, NASB). Realizing the presence of divine power and his own guilt, he immediately cried out, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30, NASB). His heart was ready the moment he saw truth.
Both men repented—one after time to wrestle with the truth, the other in an instant. Readiness is not about duration but about when the will surrenders. As Scripture says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15, NASB).
Conclusion: A Call to Turn Now
Repentance is the hinge upon which our salvation turns. Without it, belief is empty, baptism is incomplete, and forgiveness is withheld. The Lord calls us to turn while we can. Jesus said, “Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you” (Matthew 11:24, NASB). If we have heard the truth and refused to repent, we face a greater condemnation.
But it doesn’t have to end that way. God is still calling. His kindness is still extended. His warnings are still true. Will we yield to His will and turn today?
Repentance is not just about feeling sorry. It’s not merely about doing better. It’s about surrender—total, deliberate, and joyful. As Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23, NASB). It is about exchanging the stubbornness of our will for the righteousness of His. It is the step that clears the way for grace, for hope, for transformation. As Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20, NASB).
So we ask ourselves: Have I repented? Not merely been saddened by sin, not simply improved my conduct—but truly turned my will to God? The answer to that question may determine everything.
Let us not delay. Let us not harden our hearts. Let us not assume we’ll have tomorrow. Repentance is God’s invitation to return, and the door is open now. Step through it—while there is still time. Let this be the moment we stop resisting and start obeying. Let this be the day we choose the life that only God can give.
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