Repentance Is Complete

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Repentance Is Complete

by Matt Jensen

Repentance is a word that has fallen out of favor. It is unpopular because it requires change—it requires one to practically acknowledge Christ’s lordship by submitting to Him. Repentance is often misunderstood as well. Many emphasize “selling all you have” without speaking of the “treasure in the field” (Matt. 13:44). Repentance is an evangelical grace, which means it happens because of the gospel and by the grace of the gospel. One finds invaluable treasure then joyfully gives up everything

to have it. The order is important! Repentance is giving one’s entire self to Christ because Christ is better than anything else. In a previous article, we considered the necessity of repentance. Let us consider a few things about the completeness of repentance.

Repentance is complete, that is, in the whole person (thoughts, affections, words, actions, etc.). Someone who turns away from sinful actions but not sinful thoughts have not truly repented. I do not like onions—in fact, I disdain them! I am sure there are foods like that for you, too. When you think about those foods, how do you feel about them? Do you seek to avoid them? Do you speak well of them? Hatred for something shows up in the whole person! One who “hates” sin in part has never actually hated sin at all. True repentance happens when one sees the sinfulness of sin, is sorry for it and hates it.

Repentance is complete in that it accords to the whole law. Sin is defined by God in His Word alone. There is only one lawgiver to whom all are bound to obey (Rom. 14:4, 10-12; 1 Cor. 7:23; Jas. 4:12). Editors of God’s law have not truly repented. Pornography, addiction, materialism, etc. will ruin your life here on earth, but it does not require God’s grace for one to hate them. Love for the world drives many to selectively turn from their vices, but this is not true repentance. “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” John warns, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn. 2:15). Of course, we are to love creation, people, and many other things in the world. Do you love these things more than Christ? That is the question! Turning from sin merely to have a better marriage or relationship with your kids is not biblical repentance—it will not yield hatred for secret sins. Biblical repentance springs from a heart that beholds the beauty of Jesus by faith and loves Him more than anything in the world, which love expresses itself in keeping God’s commandments (Jn. 14:15, 21; 15:10). True repentance, therefore, has regard to all of God’s commandments. It is found in the whole person and according to the whole law.

Have you truly repented and trusted in Christ? A better question, are you repenting and believing in Christ? Christ is indeed a treasure more valuable than anything in this world, and knowing Him is better than life itself (Ps. 63:3)—knowing Him is eternal life (Jn. 17:3). Unrepentance is giving up treasure for trash; repentance is trading in trash for treasure. What will you do with Jesus Christ?

About The Author Matt Jensen is a missionary from Reformation Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia. He and his wife, Danielle, are preparing to move to Thailand soon with their son, Judah. They are also anticipating the birth of another son, Gabriel.

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