Probably the most beautiful picture of true repentance can be found in the story of the Prodigal Son. After demanding and wasting his inheritance, the prodigal finds himself destitute and feeding pigs. There are some key phrases in the story to notice as his life goes through a transformation and restoration.
“But when he came to himself”…. This is the first step in genuine repentance. Coming to ourselves speaks of an inner awakening to our desperate need. It is saying ‘enough is enough!’ It is the remorse for a wasted life. Paul says it this way: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of.” (2 Cor. 7:10) Godly sorrow is ‘coming to oneself.’
“I will arise and go to my Father…” This is the moment of a “change of mind” that understands the goodness of the Father and a desire to be restored. The Prodigal recognizes that there is a father against whom he has sinned. It is a declaration of purpose, the second element of repentance.“
And he arose and came to his father.” This is the action of repentance. Though he did not know what to expect and was willing to be as a hired servant, he nonetheless walked out his faith. He returned to his father. Any outcome would be better than living with the pigs!
What the prodigal didn’t know was the true heart of the father. He didn’t know that the father was waiting for him with open arms. His repentance reaped far more than he was expecting! But notice that the father did not seek him out or retrieve him from the distant country and the pigs. The prodigal had to make that journey. It began with his awakening to his need. It was followed by his declaration of purpose and sealed with his action of traveling back to his own country. The father was waiting.
Repentance is a necessary element for salvation. Jesus commanded that repentance be preached in all the world (Luke 24:47). Paul preached repentance (Acts 20:21, 26:20). Peter acknowledged that God’s heart is that all men come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).
Repentance is more than just a change of mind. As demonstrated in the story of the prodigal son, it is a change of mind, heart and volition. It is a decision followed by an action. It is the faith of a willing heart to return to the Father.
Barry Bennett is an instructor- Charis Bible College Colorado. He is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, and has been serving the Lord since 1972. He and his wife, Betty Kay, have served on the mission field in Mexico, Guatemala, and in Chile, where they spent almost 12 years before returning to Texas in 2001.
