Scripture declares that all humanity has turned away from God, and must return to him. The term “repentance” is often used to refer to this process of returning to God and the inward and outward changes that it demands of people. Scripture also indicates that believers can wander away from God; they too must return to him.
All people have turned away from God
Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 64:6 See also Job 25:4; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:19; Romans 3:23
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
Wayward people must return to God
Isaiah 44:22; Hosea 14:1; Zechariah 1:3 See also 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 1:9; Job 22:23; Jeremiah 24:7; Lamentations 3:40; Hosea 6:1, Hosea 12:6; Joel 2:12
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity.
So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’
Means of returning to God
Realisation of estrangement from God
Lamentations 3:40 See also 1 Samuel 24:5; 2 Samuel 24:10; 2 Chronicles 6:29–31; Romans 3:20
Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.
Acknowledgment of sin
Psalm 51:3 See also Exodus 9:27; Numbers 14:39–40, Numbers 22:34; Joshua 7:20; 1 Samuel 15:24–25; Matthew 27:3–4
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Sorrow for sin
Psalm 38:18 See also Psalm 51:1–2; 2 Corinthians 7:9–10
Yes, I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
A sense of guilt for sin
2 Samuel 24:10 See also Ezra 9:5–6; Psalm 38:1–4, Psalm 38:17–18, Psalm 51:3; Acts 2:37–38
After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”
Repentance
Isaiah 1:27; Acts 2:37–38 See also Isaiah 59:20
Zion will be redeemed with justice, her repentant ones with righteousness.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
A parable of returning to God
Examples of people returning to God
Israelites: Judges 10:15; 2 Chronicles 15:4; 2 Samuel 12:13–14 David; Jonah 3:5–10 the people of Nineveh
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.