Turning Away

A recent conversation with a friend about the role of "regret" or "sorrow" for sins has spurred me to review some Scriptures that mention repentance. As best as I can understand, repentance begins with a realization that one has commited sins against God, and is primarily a "turning away" from the sins and a change in future choices (Acts 26:20). Sorrow can be the catalyst for this realization (I Corinthians 7:8-10). In addition, God plays a unique role in this process (Acts 5:31), so a cognitive understanding of one's own sinfulness apart from divine conviction will not lead one to repentance. I've known people who acknowledge their need for God, but remain planted in their self-centered life. I don't fully comprehend this dance between the Lord's role and a person's own will in the area of repentance (or any other area), but I believe they are both critically involved.

Here's a few of the passages I found when reviewing this (including the 3 cited above). Look them over yourself...I'd love to hear other thoughts.

I Kings 8:46-48
"When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name."

I Corinthians 7:8-10
"Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

Acts 5:31
"God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel."

Acts 26:20
"First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

Jeremiah 8:6
"I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle."

Ezekiel 14:6
"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

Mark 1:15
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Luke 15:10
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luke 17:3-4
"So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."