Repentance: Repentance:

The Church has long wrestled with the concept of repentance, often unintentionally burdening believers with impossible expectations. Many have been told, “If you truly repented, you would never commit that sin again.” This rigid interpretation can leave believers feeling condemned, inadequate, or even hopeless when they stumble. But is this what God intended repentance to be? Scripture and the life of Jesus reveal a far more compassionate and realistic understanding of repentance—one that acknowledges the lifelong journey of becoming Christ-like.

Historical Roots of the Doctrine

The rigid view of repentance—that true repentance must result in immediate and complete cessation of sin—emerged largely in response to 19th-century revivals, particularly those in America. Movements such as the Second Great Awakening emphasized emotional, transformative conversions, often equating repentance with a dramatic, once-and-for-all event.

During this period, the “mercy seat” became a focal point in revival meetings. It was a place where individuals came forward, confessed their sins, and were declared saved in an instant. While the mercy seat was an outward sign of a heartfelt change, it inadvertently birthed the idea that repentance was a singular, definitive act rather than an ongoing process.

By the late 1800s, this emphasis evolved into the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, popularized by theologians like Charles Finney and others within revivalist circles. While the doctrine of eternal security can be supported scripturally (e.g., John 10:28), the practical interpretation often became distorted. It suggested that a genuine conversion experience would produce immediate and permanent change in behavior. If someone continued to struggle with sin, their repentance was questioned, and their salvation doubted.

This paradox—believing in eternal security while demanding perfection as proof of repentance—created a contradictory framework. On one hand, it taught that salvation could not be lost; on the other, it implied that continued sin meant one was never truly saved in the first place. This created confusion and burdened believers with the impossible standard of human perfection.

What Repentance Truly Means

Repentance, at its core, is a change of heart and direction. The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, means to change one’s mind or purpose. It is not about achieving instantaneous perfection but about turning toward God, seeking His help to overcome sin. This is a process, not a one-time event.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:6 that God, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. This verse acknowledges that the Christian walk is a journey of growth and sanctification, not an immediate transformation.

When Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11), He wasn’t demanding instant perfection. He was calling her to begin a new life of seeking God, knowing that sin would still be a struggle but that grace would sustain her.

The Battle Against Sin

The reality of our fallen world is that sin is an ongoing struggle. The adversary knows our weaknesses and doubles his efforts to tempt us when we try to walk in righteousness. Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Even after repentance, believers remain targets of spiritual warfare.

Take Mary Magdalene as an example. She experienced profound forgiveness and followed Christ, but tradition and some interpretations suggest she struggled and fell again, only to be lovingly brought back by the disciples. Does this mean her repentance was invalid? Absolutely not. It means she was human, a work in progress, much like all of us.

Repentance is about consistently choosing to turn back to God, even after falling. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us, “The righteous fall seven times and rise again.” True repentance is revealed in the rising, not the falling.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) beautifully illustrates God’s heart toward those who wander. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. This parable challenges the idea that struggling with sin disqualifies someone from being counted among God’s sheep. The fact that the one is a sheep—part of the flock—shows that they are already His. Their wandering doesn’t negate their belonging.

Why would Christ seek out the lost if repentance demanded perfection? This parable reminds us of His relentless love and grace. He doesn’t abandon us when we fail; He pursues us, picks us up, and brings us back to the fold.

The Danger of Legalistic Teaching

The teaching that “if you sin again, you never truly repented” is not only unbiblical but also harmful. It places an unbearable burden on believers, fostering guilt and shame instead of hope and grace. Worse, it encourages judgment within the body of Christ. Only God knows the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). When humans presume to judge someone’s repentance, they step into a role reserved for the Father alone.

Jesus Himself rebuked such judgmental attitudes among the Pharisees, who often placed heavy burdens on others while ignoring their own sins (Matthew 23:4). The Church must remember that repentance is between the individual and God, not a measuring stick for others to wield.

The Journey of Becoming Christ-Like

Becoming Christ-like is a lifelong journey, one that requires patience, grace, and perseverance. Paul, one of the greatest apostles, acknowledged his ongoing struggle with sin in Romans 7:15-25, declaring, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” If even Paul wrestled with sin, how can we expect instantaneous perfection from ourselves or others?

God’s grace covers our imperfections. Through Him, we are being transformed “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Struggling with sin doesn’t mean we are failures; it means we are human, relying on God’s strength to overcome.

Encouragement for the Journey

To anyone reading this: Know that it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to fall. What matters is that you keep getting up and turning back to God. Repentance is not about achieving flawlessness; it’s about staying on the path, even when it’s hard.

You are not garbage. You are God’s beloved, created in His image, and worth the sacrifice of His Son. The journey of repentance and sanctification is one of constant growth, a testimony to God’s patience and love. When you fall, remember the Father who runs to meet His prodigal son, embraces him, and celebrates his return (Luke 15:20-24). That’s how God sees you—worth pursuing, worth forgiving, worth celebrating.

Let’s stop burdening each other with the weight of impossible expectations. Instead, let’s encourage one another in love, recognizing that we are all works in progress. As Philippians 3:13-14 reminds us, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Keep pressing on. God isn’t finished with you yet.