Repent – What Does It Mean?

I ran across this word recently, where it was defined as:

A Hebrew word for:  "To turn from the way you were going and return to God for healing, forgiveness, and instruction in righteousness."

But, it was in a meme graphic and I’ve come to not trust those without some research. So, I checked Strong’s Concordance for “repent” in the Old Testament, and did not find Teshuva, but:

H5162    נָחַם    nâcham (naw-kham')
A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry, that is, (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself): - comfort (self), ease [one’s self], repent (-er, -ing, self).
Total KJV occurrences: 108

Then I tried Google:

Repentance in Judaism – Wikipedia:   Repentance (Hebrew: תשובה, literally, "return", pronounced "tshuva" or "teshuva") is one element of atoning for sin in Judaism. ... Thus, the primary purpose of repentance in Judaism is ethical self transformation.

Then a Jewish source:

The 10 Days of Repentance  YOM KIPPUR
In the Jewish tradition, repentance is called teshuvah , a Hebrew word translated as “returning.” One of the Hebrew words for sin is chet, which in Hebrew means “to go astray.” Thus the idea of repentance in Jewish thought is a return to the path of righteousness.  . . .  The process of repentance, as laid out by Maimonides, includes three stages: confession, regret and a vow not to repeat the misdeed.

Which is exactly the same meaning of “repent” in Christianity – confession, regret for our sinfulness, and a promise to not repeat. Somehow people have problems with all three of those actions – especially the repeating of the error/misdeed/sin.

Take a moment to read about Peter’s promise to never leave Christ’s teaching – and his betrayal that same evening. Rather than give you scripture from all four Gospels (because it is in all four!), you may look them up yourself or read in Wikipedia. 

Every Christian who publicly makes a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as God’s gift to man for the purpose of reconciliation makes just about the same statement Peter did:

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matthew 26:33-35 KJV)

I ask you, Christian, have we not done the same? I ask you, non-Christian, doesn’t that confirm that we do not believe? Actually, it doesn’t. It confirms we are humans who need our Lord, even when we don’t act like it. I can assure, a follower of Jesus will repent, will turn and confess – most likely not to the people around us, but definitely to our Lord – for it is against our Lord that we’ve done our sin.

We learn this from David’s example:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV)

The lead in to that scripture is:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

David had sinned by desiring Bathsheba, taking her while both were married, having her husband killed, then taking her as another wife in a chaotic family because of his multiple wives. Don’t feel self-righteous because our sins do not seem as serious.

Bottom line – have we set the example that helps another person fail? Do our actions keep another from learning of God’s love and forgiveness? Do we need to turn back to His will and righteous path?

Or do we continue in error:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1-2 KJV)

Is Christ speaking to us as He did to Ephesus?

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:4-5 KJV)