So What is Repentance?

Each of the defective forms of repentance entails one essential requisite for true repentance, although each is in itself incomplete – incapable of constituting the kind of repentance that “leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10), though taken together they do. Each one lacks a proper attitude.

To make that picture more focused, let us use the analogy of driving a car. Driving presumes certain preconditions, as does true repentance, to reach one’s destination:

1. The driver must have access to a car. The sinner must have access to a supportive religion as a “vehicle.”
2. The driver should use the best route to reach his destination. The knowledgeable penitent knows the “Jesus route” (Christianity), for Jesus is the premiere “Way” (John 14:6).
3. The driver must recognize when he has taken a wrong turn; otherwise he can’t correct it and will go farther afield. Likewise, the sinner must recognize ("be convicted”) that he can change and needs to change a wrongful act or habit.
4. The driver usually feels frustrated at having made a wrong turn and regrets having done so. A sinner needs to have a proper sorrow or regret for each “wrong turn” (sin).
5. A driver, after a wrong turn, might have to humbly ask directions and apologize to his passengers for the delay. A sinner must humbly accept blame for his sin before God, asking his pardon without evasiveness, denial or self-righteousness.
6. A driver when tagged by a police office, should acknowledge his mistake when he has broken any traffic laws. A sinner like the Prodigal Son must say to God, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy” (Luke 15:21).
7. The corrected driver must resolve sincerely to do his utmost to avoid future violations of any tariff laws. And the sinner must have a firm purpose of amendment (resolve) to avoid possible sin in the future.

In all of this, is it clear that the role of one’s interior attitude, not just one’s exterior comportment, is of utmost importance. “[R]end your hearts and not your clothing. Return the Lord, your God” (Joel 2:13). The Lord isn’t interested in mere apologies. He looks for a heart broken not by sin itself but by the realization of the impact of sin on God – a heart broken not only for sin but also from sin. And for him to fix that broken heart, one must give him all the pieces.

The real meaning of “repentance that leads to salvation” is, at its heart, a metanoia turnaround. When we change from being sin-bound to being God-bound, a triple effect is produced: strength to resist future temptation, the removal of arrogant self-assurance in our pursuit of holiness and increase of humble God-dependency.

Finally, an upbeat observation: All seven qualities of repentance are fulfilled by anyone who deeply loves God. Remember Saint Augustine’s famous maxim, “Deum ama et fac quod vis” (“Love God, and do what you will”).*

Both theology and God’s word convey all of this cogently and urgently: “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!” (Ezekiel 18:31). When we do that, God’s merciful love dispels the evil of sin in our heart, as the radiant bursting dawn erases the darkness of night. With that, heaven is only a heart-beat away!

*Saint Augustine, quoted in 12,000 Religious Quotations, p. 275.

This excerpt is from the book The Awesome Mercy of God, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Servant Books. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.