How To Grow Closer to God through the Gift of Repentance (plus 6 Steps)

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Repentance is often a loaded word, commonly evoking feelings of defensiveness, disdain, guilt, or shame. If you've ever had a negative visceral reaction upon hearing this word, perhaps its meaning and purpose are being misunderstood. Does the concept of repentance feel like a heavy burden, something tied only to sin? Do you think it is only about saying “I’m sorry” for your wrongs? While confessing sin is a critical part of active faith, if that's all repentance means to you, you are missing a key element. When you have a deeper understanding of the relational purpose of repentance, you will see how it is a gift from God that will draw you closer to Him.

Repentance is the vehicle and the mechanism that God uses for us to draw close to Him.

Without it, you will struggle to feel close to the Father because your unconfessed sin creates distance between you and Him. By acknowledging your sin and, most importantly, turning toward God, you are able to restore the relationship sin tries to break.

In this article, you will have an opportunity to consider how repentance is good for you, look at what Scripture says about it, and learn six steps that will help you repent and be reconciled to God.

[If you do not have a personal relationship with God, read this article: How to Become a Christian in 2 Life-Saving Steps]

Repentance Protects Your Heart

Our hearts are in danger of a being hardened. One of the greatest threats of our time is becoming numb to sin. Whether it's pornography, anger, or bitterness, sin dulls sensitivity to God's voice.

Sin will separate you from your relationships with others and with your Father in heaven.

A Barna Research recent report revealed that 61% of Christians are actively engaged in pornography, a clear indicator that destructive sin can permeate even the lives of believers. But it’s not just about one specific sin; it’s about how sin—anger, greed, or lust—hardens our hearts and prevents us from hearing God's voice.

Without sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, you will lose the gift of conviction which is intended to regularly bring you back to God.

Repentance in Scripture

Repentance is not just an Old Testament concept but a continual theme throughout the Bible. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God calls His people to turn from their wicked ways and promises to heal their land:
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (ESV).

The call to repent isn’t just about feeling sorry; it’s about turning back to God. In Isaiah 55:7, we are reminded: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (ESV).

Turning back to God allows you to experience God’s mercy and grace. Like the story of the prodigal son, you will find a loving Father eager to embrace you.

Jesus on Repentance

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of repentance in the New Testament. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, ESV), declared John the Baptist, paving the way for Jesus’ ministry. Jesus echoed this in Mark 1:15: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (ESV).

Confessing sin and turning back to God isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily practice. Every day, you have the opportunity to look to the Heavenly Father for forgiveness and help to overcome.

The Purpose of Repentance

Repentance restores our relationship with God and with others. Repentance is not just so you can live sin-free. Repentance is so you can have a relationship with the Father, hear His voice, and live victoriously.
Sin destroys relationships—both with God and those around us. But repentance is God's gift to heal and restore. Romans 2:4 beautifully captures this: “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (ESV).

It’s God’s kindness, not condemnation, that calls us to turn away from our sin and come back to Him.

In 1 John 1:9, we are given a promise: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (ESV).

Accepting the Gift of Repentance

You may be wondering how to begin practicing this essential spiritual practice. Her are six practical steps for repentance:

Acknowledge the sin – Be honest with God and yourself about your wrongdoing.
Feel godly sorrow – Let conviction, not condemnation, move you to change.
Turn from the sin – Don’t just stop sinning, but actively turn toward God.
Seek God’s help – Pursue a relationship with Him to gain strength and freedom.
Receive God’s grace – Accept His forgiveness and mercy as a gift.
Restore relationships – As God restores your heart, allow healing in your earthly relationships too.

Takeaway

Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad for your actions; it's a pathway to a close relationship with God. When you turn toward Him, you will find grace, mercy, and the loving embrace of your Heavenly Father.

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