3 Repentance Misconceptions

Repentance involves the acknowledgment of sin, sorrow for sin, and turning from sin with resolve to follow Christ. Yet, three common misconceptions of repentance are those that focus on each element as the whole of repentance. This leads to repenting by saying, “I was wrong,” “I am very sorry” or “I will never do it again.” 

Reassessment: I was Wrong

The first misconception is that repentance in simply changing one’s mind about a sin. Whereas earlier it wasn’t considered sinful, now having reconsidered matters and seen the truth, one revises one’s option and agrees with God and His Word that it is indeed a sin.

However, we all know how shallow and disingenuous this kind of repentance can be. Even in rethinking, we don’t understand enough. Simply changing our mind will not bring about lasting change of action. We do not feel deeply enough that we have offended God and His holiness, or that we have wronged others. Our hope cannot be placed in the power of our reasoning. Repentance is more than a change of mind.

Matthew 3:8 ESV [John the Baptizer proclaimed] “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” 

Acts 26:20 ESV [The Apostle Paul explained his mission] “[I] declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”

Remorse: I am Very Very Sorry

The second misconception is similar to the first but it involves the emotions more than the mind. It is feeling bad about sin, really bad. Often there are tears and pleading with God and others for forgiveness.

However, we have all known how fleeting this kind of repentance can be. Again, no real plans are made to change the course of one’s thoughts and behaviors. As long as we remember how sin made us feel before God and others, we hope to stay clean. Our hope cannot be placed in the power of our emotions. Repentance is more than extreme sorrow.

Hebrews 12:17 ESV “For you know that afterward, when he [Esau] desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”

Resolve: I Will Never Do That Again

The third misconception is the most dangerous of the three. We can be overwhelmed with remorse for our sin, and see and agree with what Scripture says about our sin, and then make the mistake of vowing never to do it again.

However, we all know that this is not possible; we are not this strong. We will succumb to the flesh and the trick of the devil in the future, certainly. Denying this reality may sound super spiritual, but in it is super stupid. Our hope cannot be placed in ourselves and the power of our will. Repentance is itself a grace gift of God.

Acts 11:18 ESV [The Apostle Peter reported to the church leaders what God did in Caesarea] “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”” 

2 Timothy 2:25–26 ESV [The Apostle Paul on dealing with opponents] “. . . God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

True Repentance Realizes that Christ is Our Only Hope

Don’t get tripped up by these three common misconceptions about repentance. And don’t be led astray into yet another misconception that combining all three of these leads to true repentance. A simple combination doesn’t work if we are relying upon ourselves for the transformation desired in repentance.

Even if all three elements are combined, without faith in Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, such repentance will be insufficient and powerless. True repentance is always connected with faith in the Crucified and Risen Christ; when we attempt to repent without faith, it doesn’t work.

True repentance begins by apprehending in our soul that we really are much more sinful people than we originally thought, and then that we really have no other hope than in Christ! Then, we turn from sin by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in faith embrace Christ, our Lord and Savior, as our only hope. 

1 John 1:9 ESV “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It takes our whole lifetime of faith in Christ, and under the power of the Holy Spirit, to completely renew our minds, emotions and wills. We rejoice in this encouragement for real transformation in our lives here and now, while we anticipate the final Day of Christ and the fulness of our salvation!

Pentecost For The Rest Of Us

One particular annual celebration in the Church calendar holds special meaning for me. It is Pentecost. This is because I was converted on Pentecost Sunday in 1984. And so, as a pastor I would preach on it every year and promote its celebration to those who have forgotten it.

Three main feasts in the historical Christian Calendar relate directly to Jesus Christ. Christmas celebrates the Incarnation of the Son of God.  Easter celebrates the redemption He accomplished for us in His Cross and Resurrection. And Pentecost celebrates His exaltation and giving the Holy Spirit to His Church.

The Historical Event


Pentecost is the annual celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, and the initial 3000 conversions at the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Originally a harvest festival under the Old Covenant, the first New Covenant celebration was the harvest of conversions.

Luke records the historical event of Pentecost in Acts 2 to encourage us with one of the basics of the Christian Faith. The Spirit’s role in the Church is to empower the Church for witness to Christ Jesus. This is what we see throughout the Book of Acts (i.e. Ac 8, 10-11, 15, 19). This is what we see throughout Church History. The Holy Spirit began a new ministry in and through the people of God in the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit indwells all the People of God.


The Holy Spirit empowers the Gospel, and He empowers the Church to preach the Gospel. Luke is telling us that we all as Christians are Pentecostal Christians. Forget the Pentecostal connotations and embrace Biblical language, or post-Pentecostal Christians, if you prefer. We are a Church empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel of Salvation.

An Unrepeatable Historical Event

Pentecost is an unrepeatable historical event. It is a climactic point in the History of Redemption, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies of the time of the Messiah and the New Covenant.

It is not a paradigm for personal experience, as some have mistakenly interpreted it. Some use the event to promote various forms of Second Blessing spirituality. Others use it to raise expectations for large scale conversions. And other use it to mark out the parameters of their vision for communal living. And the list goes on.

The question is often asked, “what prevents us from being just like the early Church at Pentecost?” The answer is simple: Pentecost is an historically significant event in History of Redemption. It is non-repeatable, as much as the Incarnation, Cross and Resurrection are unrepeatable, to which Pentecost is itself is tied.

It is the wrong question to be asking. The better question to ask is, “in what ways are we to be like the early Church at Pentecost?” To answer this questions requires more thorough Biblical understanding, deeper theological reasoning and practical reflection on Christian living.

Today, we proclaim the same empowered Apostolic Gospel as those empowered by the Holy Spirit. We urge people to forsake this evil generation and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We welcome them into the Church as the Holy Spirit convicts and converts them. Together, we enjoy the blessings of God as a forgiven people and as people possessing the Holy Spirit.

The Repeatable Part is The Mission Part

Pentecost is about the Mission, which leads to the ultimate goal: the worship of God among all the nations. Missions is about God, who through the Gospel is gathering His elect from all people groups to worship Him in glorious joy forever and ever.

This is why we celebrate Pentecost annually, to remind us of our identity as the Church and our purpose as the Church. Let us pray continually for the outpouring of Pentecostal power of the Holy Spirit upon us. Let us do so for the empowerment of our Gospel witness for the expansion of the Church.

This is Pentecost for the rest of us, ever since that great day long ago, 50 days after Jesus’ Resurrection, and until the Day of His Glorious Return and His Kingdom. This is why I would preach a special sermon every Pentecost. Some of the passages are: Acts 2:1-47; Jn 3:1-15; Joel 2:18-32; Matthew 12:22-37; Galatians 5:16-26; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Romans 8:8-11; and Hebrews 8:1-13. There are many many passages to preach and teach the People of God about their great and full salvation!

5 Short Stories of Competing Visions

Leaders have their reasons why they believe that more than one vision is best for their church or organization and how it really sets them apart. But, they are wrong.

When meeting with them, after listening to some of their success stories and current ministry struggles, we as a group of leaders start exploring how and why things work the way they do. We talk about core ministry passions, opportunities and resources. We talk about what more could be done, and what could be better.

Then, at a strategic time in the conversation I ask them how having multiple visions within their organization is really working for them, for the advance of the ministry.

They start to see that having more than one vision is not helpful. It never works out well. There can only ever be one vision per organization. Following are five short stories.

Starting a New Church Well

Recently I was asked about the possibility of a church planter and an associate working together on a church plant with slightly differing visions. Would this be okay?

Why would leaders think this was a good idea? Is it because there would be two pastors working as partners? They could reach different groups of people. And resources could be pooled. Nevertheless, this is a terrible idea.

Differences will become irreconcilable, and this will probably happen sooner than expected. Philosophy of ministry underlies every vision and is a core part of who we are as pastors. Trying to manage two of them will hinder the church plant’s development. Also, different ministry activities seen as critically important will compete for time, volunteers and other resources. A better solution would be to plant two churches.

A Vision in Waiting

Another conversation took place with the leadership team of a growing and healthy church. However, they sensed that there were three separate competing visions within their church. This really wasn’t the case. They actually identified three closely related ministry passions that could easily be brought together under one vision.

Their challenge was to work together on writing out this common vision and writing a fuller description of what it would look like as they accomplished it. They also needed to come back together in their personal relationships as one team and as one church.

We talked about where vision comes from, who shapes it, keeps it and promotes it. We discussed the role of the senior pastor and the leadership team. This was an encouraging and energizing conversation looking toward the future.

The Seditious Staff Member

In another church, a staff pastor was leading a vision revolt, using his ministry team as the place to begin fomenting unrest. Leadership meetings revealed the fraction with the senior pastor. He would frustrate the board by regular dissent or he would agree but then carry out his own agenda.

This staff pastor needed to submit to the larger vision of the senior pastor and the other board members. He needed to humble himself and know his place in the organization, or he needed to leave for the sake of the congregation. Those people he was stirring up needed to be reconnected to the true vision of the church and reassured of the rightful leadership.

Mission in the Slough

A mission organization that touted itself as an expert in vision development and strategic planning somehow could never seem to clarify its own vision. They struggled to see strategic plans through to fruition. This was largely because they changed the vision at almost every leadership meeting, so in reality many visions existed, not one.

Obviously, the lower level leaders and staff lacked confidence and did not trust the top leadership. Worse yet, those arrogant leaders were oblivious to the quality of leaders and people they had in their own organization.

It was a missed opportunity to create one vision with an organization willing to embrace one vision. Organizations need top leaders who can lead, who can lead other leaders, who can lead real people and genuinely value, honor and trust other leaders than just themselves.

Laity Leading Loosely

Another church has as many visions competing as lay leaders in the congregation.  Since there is no clear vision from the pastor or the board, everyone just does things, good things. Each person promotes his or her ministry to attract people and gain resources.

They try to package everything together and present it as one really broad vision. They convince themselves that this is true and good. They find themselves floundering and having to rejoice in very minor successes. Were they to unite behind a common vision, and then align themselves and work as a team, their success would be amazing!

Many more stories could be told, both short and long, about churches and organizations experiencing problems because of not understanding the role that vision plays, actually having a vision and only one organizational vision.

The Great Pilgrimage

When I lose a good friend who has fought the good fight and finished well and has entered the joy and glory of the Lord, I find great peace and hope in the Psalms. Here is one of my Scriptural lessons for funerals and memorial services based upon Psalm 84.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah  

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah  

Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

More of God

Psalms 84:1–4 ESV “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah”

This Psalm is one of the sweetest of all the Psalms, and a favorite of many. It is a Psalm of pilgrimage, of a blessed pilgrimage. The Psalmist has in mind an actual pilgrimage experience to Jerusalem during one of three annual feasts, and then also its serving as a picture for us living as the People of God.

It is about the desire within the soul of every believer for more of God Himself. The Psalmist wants us to see that we are one in heart with these ancient pilgrims of faith. Together, we are the People of God who share a glorious eternal destiny. We long for the joy and blessing of worship in the presence of God. And we persevere until we arrive at heaven.

We do long for God. We pine for Him so much in our soul that at times even our body feels it. We know that where God dwells is the most lovely of places because of His Presence. This is what inspires our joyful worship here on earth—the hope of eternal and full joy in heaven. This becomes more a reality in our lives as we mature in the faith and as we approach the end of our earthly lives in the body.

The Psalmist envies the sparrow and swallow in the Temple area. They are so near to God, and perfectly at home in His Presence. The Psalmist considers how blessed the priests are who serve in the Temple daily. The pilgrims only worship there occasionally, and at some proper distance. But, he is so thankful for the opportunity to fellowship with His God. One day, the experience of the birds and the priests would be his.

In the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, worship and fellowship with God has been transformed—taken to a whole new level of joy. We have an even better taste in this life of what is promised us in the life to come. As we feed our appetite for God, it is true that we become even more hungry for Him.

More of Blessing

Psalms 84:5–8 ESV “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah”

Next, we observe the soul-satisfying blessing of being a pilgrim at heart. It is not just something the faithful do a few times a year, but is the very disposition of the heart. Blessings then come into the heart year-round by placing confidence in the Lord God and drawing strength from Him by faith.

This pilgrimage route is called a “highway” because many travel on it—many in the past, many currently, and many will in the future. We all are an encouragement to one another to keep going. No one travels on a pilgrimage alone.

There are many trials to face along the way. But there is no other way to get to mount Zion, except through certain valleys at times. Yet, even there God will honor our faith and make us drink from springs of water, yes even in the desert. We had no idea He could give such blessing, and provide so miraculously—and always at just the right time!

Pilgrimage is an intense adventure. It is an adventure requiring faith and hope. It is rewarded with joy and immeasurable blessings. As we continually move forward, our strength grows. Our hope increases as we are intent on reaching God’s glory.

This is Jesus’ desire for his followers to be with Him and to behold His glory. Upon arrival, gladness and joy overtake us, and all sorrow and sadness flee away! May we be resolute in our pilgrimage and our visionary goal of seeing God as our friend has attained.

More of Joy

Psalms 84:9–12 ESV “Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

The Psalmist cries out in prayer for blessing and a display of God’s covenant love. And then he breaks forth in song over the joy that awaits him in the very presence of God. Christians anticipate their arrival; may we follow our friend’s lead. This hymn of praise celebrates the superiority of being with God. The Psalmist declares that just one day of this special fellowship on the pilgrimage is better than three whole years spent anywhere else. He considers that even being a doorkeeper at the Temple is a greater blessing than all the fame, wealth, and power of the world. May we see how ravished the Psalmist is with the love of God?

In drawing close to God, God becomes to us like the sun—bringing light, restoration to the soul, and hope for the future. He becomes like a shield—demonstrating His power, defending from evil, and giving security. He bestows grace and glory—giving power and strength, showing His favor, and granting honor. He withholds no good thing—pouring out His goodness, revealing it in all things to the upright.

You see, being in God’s Presence will transform everything!  This is the point: the blessing of pilgrimage is that the adventure and all you have seen and experienced will stay with you when you return home.

Finally, the Psalmist concludes with a blessing for all of us. He looks up to God and praises Him for blessing all who trust Him. The Psalm opened with the Psalmist deeply longing for God and the Psalm ends with an invitation and encouragement to everyone to put their trust in Him.

Put your trust in God, in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay vibrant in your longing for the Final Day of Glory. As you do, your resolve in the Great Pilgrimage to the Heavenly Zion will grow, and you will find perseverance to be a joy.

2 Corinthians 5:6–9 ESV “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”