Repentance and the New Birth

Jesus' words to Nicodemus reveal the absolute necessity of spiritual transformation. Not improvement or education, but complete regeneration—a new birth. This miracle begins with repentance, proceeds through faith, and results in new life. It's the most radical transformation possible: death becoming life, enemy becoming child.

Understanding True Repentance

Biblical repentance involves three essential elements:

1. Intellectual: Recognizing sin as sin (Romans 3:20)
2. Emotional: Genuine sorrow for wrongdoing (2 Corinthians 7:10)
3. Volitional: Deciding to turn from sin to God (Acts 3:19)

It's more than feeling bad about consequences—it's grief over offending holy God.

Repentance vs. Regret

Many confuse repentance with mere regret:

Regret says: "I'm sorry I got caught"
Repentance says: "I'm sorry I sinned against God"

Regret seeks: Relief from consequences
Repentance seeks: Restoration of relationship

Regret changes: Circumstances
Repentance changes: Character

The Call to Repentance

Both John the Baptist and Jesus began ministry with the same message:

"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2, 4:17).

Repentance is:

• Universal need: "All have sinned" (Romans 3:23)
• Divine command: "God commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30)
• Gateway to life:** "Repent ye therefore, and be converted" (Acts 3:19)
• Ongoing practice:** Believers continue to repent
• Heart attitude:** Brokenness over sin

The Miracle of New Birth

Regeneration is God's supernatural work:

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The new birth brings:

New Nature:** Capacity to love and obey God
New Desires:** Hunger for righteousness
New Power:** Holy Spirit's enabling
New Relationship:** Adopted as God's child
New Purpose:** Living for God's glory
New Destiny:** Eternal life with God

Signs of Genuine Conversion

How can we know the new birth has occurred?

1. Love for God:** "We love him, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19)
2. Love for Others:** Especially fellow believers (1 John 3:14)
3. Desire for Holiness:** Want to please God, not just self
4. Spiritual Appetite:** Hunger for God's Word and prayer
5. Continuing in Faith:** Perseverance through difficulties

The Process of Transformation

Conversion is both instant and progressive:

Instant:** Justification happens immediately
Progressive:** Sanctification continues throughout life

We are:

• **Declared righteous** instantly
• **Made righteous** progressively
• **Revealed righteous** ultimately

Repentance in Daily Life

For believers, repentance becomes a lifestyle:

• Quick response to conviction of sin
• Regular examination of heart and motives
• Immediate confession when wrong is recognized
• Prompt correction of behavior and attitude
• Grateful reception of God's cleansing

Helping Others Understand

When sharing the gospel, we must explain both repentance and faith:

The Problem:** Sin separates us from holy God
The Solution:** Christ died for our sins
The Response:** Repent and believe the gospel
The Result:** New life in Christ
The Assurance:** God's promise to save all who come

The Role of Godly Sorrow

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Godly sorrow:
• Grieves over sin itself
• Leads to repentance
• Produces lasting change
• Results in joy and freedom

Worldly sorrow:
• Only grieves over consequences
• Leads to despair
• Produces no real change
• Results in spiritual death

The New Life Evidences

True conversion shows itself in practical ways:

1. Changed priorities: God's kingdom first
2. New relationships: Fellowship with believers
3. Different entertainment:** What pleases God matters
4. Generous spirit:** Giving replaces hoarding
5. Truthful speech:** Honesty in all dealings
6. Forgiving heart:** Extending grace received

Assurance of New Birth

How can we know we're truly born again?

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).

Assurance comes from:

• **God's promise** to save all who believe
• **Spirit's witness** with our spirit
• **Life transformation** evidence
• **Continuing faith** despite struggles
• **Love for God** and His people

Reflection Questions

1. Can you point to a time when you genuinely repented and turned to Christ?
2. What evidences of new birth do you see in your life?
3. How does understanding repentance and new birth affect your daily Christian living?

Prayer

Today's Challenge