October has been called Reformation month, celebrating the events that led to a return to Biblical truth and the glorious work of God’s salvation to millions of people. Historically the church in our Lord’s name had wandered far from God’s true message of salvation. It was on October 31^st in 1517 that God moved upon an Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, who had come under great conviction simply from reading the Bible. Having been enlightened, he was moved to raise the issue of false church beliefs and practices. In that day, public notices were placed on church doors. Luther wrote Ninety-Five Thesis of dispute hoping to be correctively beneficial to the church hierarchy by enlisting them in a serious spiritual debate. Instead, he was soon excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. However, God had much more in mind. Luther would be used by the Lord to give birth to the Protestant Church.

Much of Luther’s writing continues pertinent for today. Focusing on his introduction and the first three points, he wrote, “Out of love and concern for the truth, and with the object of eliciting it,” he requested a public debate. Then came his first three points. “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said ’Repent’, He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. The word cannot be properly understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, i.e. confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy. Yet its meaning is not restricted to repentance in one’s heart; for such repentance is null unless it produces outward signs in various mortifications of the flesh.” He went on to write, “The Pope himself cannot remit guilt, but only declare and confirm that it has been remitted by God.”

Luther was dealing with the sale of indulgences. These were signed documents from the church declaring that the recipient was excused and forgiven for sins. The absurdity of such a practice by comparison to true repentance and forgiveness shown in Scripture and only found in Christ is more than appalling. Bringing it into our day, there are those in evangelical circles who discount the need for repentance. They are selling indulgences as such, not with money, but with bad theology. This poor theology sells well among many people. People naturally want to hold onto their sin while having it conveniently forgiven. Isaiah 55:6-7 is one of the strongest evangelistic calls found in Scripture. It reads, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Notice carefully, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts.” That is repentance without using the word, repentance. It shows it is not possible to address turning to the Lord without turning away from iniquity and wickedness. Clearly, this is an essential in the Gospel message.

Some are proclaiming that anything more than an acceptance of Jesus is adding to Scripture. On the contrary, Jesus stated in reference to some who perished at the hand of Pilate, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Later Christ would say, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Paul, preaching at the Greek Areopagus said, “God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent in view of the day of judgment” (Acts 17:30). Peter when addressing God delaying Christ’s return says, “God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). These verses and many more maintain that repentance is critical. It is an essential part of the saving work of God. It is a call for a turning from sin. It is not something either to be bought or to be ignored. It can only come as the result of God’s work in the heart. This is why Luther placed it foremost in his corrective statement to Rome. He was saying nothing or no one can replace repentance. The impoverished people had been shamefully abused by clergy for money to buy forgiveness and deliverance from sin. In what Luther wrote he also made it clear that repentance was more than a piece of paper. True repentance would produce mortification of the flesh. In other words, true repentance shows a contrite heart, and a life where the flesh no longer dominates. God’s salvation is life changing.

Some think the idea of repentance simply means to stop not believing and start believing. Instead, faith and repentance are complimentary parts of the same reality. Salvation will not occur without both being real. To promote a Gospel to believe in Jesus, pray a prayer, and invite Him into our life, without an understanding of our sin and our essential need of turning from it, is an incomplete message.  There must be a change of mind that affects everything in our life (2 Cor. 5:17). This is why the new birth is spoken of as a conversion. Paul said, “You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9). Repentance is a redirection of our will. Christ becomes to us our Lord and Master, and we have a settled desire and commitment to give up all that is displeasing to Him. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself (Matt. 16:24). We must turn away from sin and turn toward God. This is not something we can buy. The price has already been paid. He is a glorious and complete Savior. He saves to the uttermost. He receives and changes those who come to Him in true repentance. Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners” (Luke 5:32). Oh, how wonderful to repent and be forgiven.