Refusing to Repent

“I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent” (Revelation 2:21).

The words “repent” or “repentance” appears a total of 55 times in the Old and New Testament combined. When the Hebrew and the Greek meanings are united, the words mean to change one’s mind, to turn back from or to return to something. Thus, to repent signifies a change of mind and a change in direction. In the context of the verse cited above, the text is telling the church in Thyatira that it’s tolerance of false teaching and sinful behavior is something from which it must repent. It must stop thinking and acting in a sinful manner.

I believe that the definition of repentance and the example given in the book of Revelation have immediate and direct implications for each of us. Let me explain what I mean. Seldom a week goes by that I don’t sit with someone who regrets words, actions and thoughts that grieve them and from which they desire to repent. In some instances, the stories they share represent life-long struggles with certain issues that represent sin in their lives. Now the good news is that their awareness of the sin and the degree to which they regret it signifies that their conscience has not become hardened or callous toward what they know to be right. The bad news is that they have not been able to repent and break free from the thoughts and actions that have been troubling them for so long.

Now apply that to the verse cited above. It appears that God is longsuffering and patient toward us when we are entangled in a pattern of sin from which we know we should repent. The verse makes that clear as John wrote; “I gave her time to repent.” However, we must never take the patience and mercy of God for granted. From cover to cover the Bible tells us that God hates sin and will act against those who refuse to repent. Later in the same chapter John wrote; “I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.” Thus, God is indeed patient toward our sin; yet his patience must never be taken for granted. That’s a very dangerous place to be.

How then does this become practical for us? Well, it’s hard for me to imagine that of the hundreds of you reading this, there are not some for whom the issue of repentance is very troubling. You know that God has been prompting you to turn back, to change your mind about something. Yet it has not happened yet. Friends, that’s a double danger. First, the sin continues; and second, you are trashing the mercy and patience of God. Frankly, I’m fearful on your behalf. What to do?

Well, in another place John wrote; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” In that light, the first step is confession. Get clean before God. Once so cleansed, the next step is to ask God to grant you the desire to turn from that which you know to be wrong.  Tell someone if need be. Solicit the support of a close friend. Then by God’s grace, (step by step) take the necessary actions to remove yourself from the patterns of thought and behaviors that you have just confessed to be sin. God is faithful and will grant you all you need to stay strong in that regard. Later on John wrote; “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Sprit says…”  I wonder. Are you listening?