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Updated:- Saturday, November 4th, 2023

The Many Benefits of Repentance

I have recently examined the causes of repentance, so, today, I shall investigate the effects of repentance.

There are many effects of repentance. However, I shall focus on five of them namely: believe, acknowledging the truth, salvation, eternal life, and rejoicing.

At the start of Jesus’ ministry, according to Apostle Mark, Jesus preached saying:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Mark 1:15

Effects of Repentance – Believe

I have invested much time and effort in exploring this before; therefore, read more on belief as a consequence of repentance by clicking on the link above.

Then return here and let’s move to the next benefit which is acknowledging the truth.

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.”

2 Timothy 2:24

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

2 Timothy 2:25

If we can’t believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ then we can’t repent and neither will we be capable of acknowledging the truth.

Effects of Repentance – Acknowledging the Truth

Often times when you face opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ or any component of it, this mostly stems from unbelief and ultimately an unrepentant heart.

That is not disregarding the probability that Satan may have a direct influence on such opposition but is held in ignorance by the same.

On the other hand, when a heart believes the Gospel, and the Lord God “give[s]” it repentance the “acknowledging of the truth” comes easily and effortlessly (2 Timothy 2:25).

Such was the case with Saul of Tarsus. Only after he repented and believed then, the Lord gave him the recognition of Christ: the truth.

Listen to him as he acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord.

“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Acts 9:5

Therefore, we read that “grace and truth” come only by Jesus Christ, (John 1:17).

If you have not Christ you are unable to recognize much less acknowledge the truth.

One of the major ways we acknowledge the truth is by stating that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God.

This is one of our first steps to salvation.

Effects of Repentance – Salvation

The truth is: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the Saviour of the world. And he is the only route to the Father and eternal life, (John 14:6). That is truth. Jesus is the truth.

Therefore, having repented, and believed, then you could enjoy the salvation of the Lord. However, not everyone will enjoy salvation because not all believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Nevertheless, salvation is available and accessible to all: Jews and Gentiles or Hebrews and Greeks.

As a result, Apostle Paul confesses:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to [everyone] that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Romans 1:16

Salvation is only for Believers. And to believe in Jesus Christ we must repent and turn to God through him.

However, without salvation, we possess no hope of eternal life with Christ.

Effects of Repentance – Eternal Life

Having done all these things your reward is eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord.

“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:12-13).

However, eternal life is not contingent on what we do. We can do no “good thing” to qualify for eternal life, (Matthew 19:16).

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16).

Eternal life is an inheritance, (Mark 10:17; Luke 18:18; 10:25). Consequently, Jesus gives us eternal life (John 10:28 & 17:2)

Effects of Repentance – Rejoicing

On earth when one person repents there is a party in heaven. This is how important repentance is to our eternity with Christ.

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7, 10).

The Ultimate Results of Repentance

If you don’t repent you will perish, but those who repent will survive. And this is one of the keys to the success of King David’s life.

He had a contrite heart and could easily repent.

How is your heart today? Are you at that place where you can easily forgive?

Sometimes it’s easier to repent of the “big sins” but forget the small and seemingly unimportant ones like forgiveness and pride.

But the reality of the situation is that those are issues of the heart. They could prevent us from enjoying all the benefits of repentance.

For that reason, David prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10

These are the ultimate results of repentance!

Conclusion

What Are The Consequences of Not Repenting?

In conclusion, repentance is crucial. If you never repented you never will believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We Repent then believe!

“For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him” (Matthew 21:32).

Many Christians serve God but never get to acknowledge the truth. Satan affects their hearts through the workings of religion.

They hear the truth of Jesus Christ but they never repent. Consequently, they never believe it.

However, they believed the words of some other person. Such a one may not have gotten his or her understanding of Jesus from the Bible.

But from another, who similarly, had gotten his knowledge of Christ from someone who didn’t repent and the cycle repeats itself.

What Are The Consequences of Repentance?

But a person who has not believed the Gospel cannot acknowledge the truth of it. No wonder so many of them are contradictory and confused. It’s clearer now.

No repentance means no believing in Christ. This equals no acknowledging of the truth and that means no salvation.

Our salvation is bundled up in Jesus Christ. And if you fail to accept and believe that he is the Only Begotten Son of God, then there goes your salvation, through the window.

No wonder there is joy in heaven when one person repents. And there is joy and rejoicing here on earth too.

The person who repented experiences joy. The people of the assembly where such a one is a member also experience joy.

Even the people at home are happy. A repentant person is a new person. New in Christ.

Memorize Psalm 51:10 above. I’m serious. Memorize it and its reference. Then “pray” it every day for a week and see how it changes your life.

Then share your outcome in the comments below. Bless!