DON HEBERT

When Jesus began teaching in the Gospel of Mark, his first message was, “Repent and believe the gospel.” His words are not just a random spur-of-the-moment command. He gave an invitation into a new life with God. To repent means to turn away from sin and turn toward Christ. It is a complete change of direction toward the living for God.

Repentance is not just feeling sorry for doing wrong. It involves rejecting sin and choosing to obey Christ. Believing the gospel means trusting that Jesus lived perfectly, died for our sins, and rose again to give us new life. The Bible says that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. When we see the goodness and mercy of God through Jesus, our hearts begin to change. The love of Christ moves people to stop clinging to sin and start following him. We no longer love the things that once ruled our lives because we have found something greater.

When a person repents and believes, they become a new creation. God forgives their sin and welcomes them into his family. But repentance does not stop at conversion. Christians continue to repent throughout life because sin still tries to take root in the heart. We grow in holiness by repeatedly turning from sin and returning to God.

Scripture describes believers as both forgiven and still being changed. We are saints, yet we struggle with sin and also suffer in this world. God’s work in us is not finished. When we enter his presence, we often see our sin more clearly. But conviction is not condemnation. Conviction is a sign that God is drawing us closer to himself.

Ephesians chapter 4 teaches how repentance looks in daily life. The passage does not use the word “repent,” but it describes repentance means in action. Based on this chapter, repentance means to put off the old way of life and put on the new. Followers of Jesus are called to quit living like the world around them. Before knowing Christ, people lived for their own desires, unaware that their hearts were hard toward God. But believers are to walk in a different way because they have been made new.

The Christian life is like learning in the school of Christ. We are always learning from Him. We learn about His truth, His ways, and His character. When I speak about “learning Christ,” I mean to shape our thoughts and actions after His example. We act differently on the outside because God has changed us on the inside.

Paul writes that believers must take off the old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. As our minds are renewed by God’s word, our behaviour begins to change. The image of God, once broken by sin, is restored as we follow Christ’s example.

Ephesians 4 also gives us examples of how repentance transforms everyday life. Those who once lied should now speak the truth. Speech should build others up, not tear them down. Words have power, and corrupt talk grieves the Holy Spirit. Christians are called to speak in ways that show grace and love, not anger or cruelty. I believe that repentance also changes how we work. Those who once took from others are to work honestly and share with those in need. Work becomes an act of service rather than selfish gain. Even anger is addressed. Anger itself is not always sin, but when left unchecked, it can lead to bitterness, resentment, and harm. Instead, believers are called to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving—just as God has forgiven us in Christ.

Following Jesus means walking in love and His sacrifice on the cross shows what real love looks like. and our repentance is not a one-time act but a lifelong turning of the heart. It is the daily movement of faith that keeps us close to Christ and growing in his likeness.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5:17