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“What is 3R Thursday?”
3R Thursday is a short devotional written by Cole F. Watson that contains Ramblings, Ruminations, and Reflections published most Thursdays to equip Christians with practical theology and Biblical philosophy.
Previous devotionals can be read here ⬅️
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3R THURSDAY: Stormy Seas and Sidetracked Sinners
What does it mean to repent, to truly repent?
Is it just a refrain from a given action (e.g., stop doing Action X)?
Or is there more involved (e.g., start doing Action Y)?
Repentance is all over the Bible: it is referenced about 50 times in the New Testament alone. It must be important then.
But what is it? What does it mean to repent?
The biblical definition of "repent" involves an authentic change of heart and mind, leading to a transformation in behavior and a turning away from sin towards God. In the New Testament, the Greek word for repentance is "metanoia," which literally means a "change of mind”—the process of experiencing a spiritual breakdown and then a spiritual healing (which we call “salvation”).
In other words, repentance involves both a negative (stop doing Action X) and a positive (start doing Action Y).
Key elements of biblical repentance include:
Acknowledgment of Sin: Recognizing and admitting one's sins and moral failures (Psalm 32:5, 1 John 1:9).
Godly Sorrow: Feeling genuine remorse and sorrow for having sinned, not just because of the consequences but because it offends God (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Turning Away from Sin (Action X): Making a deliberate decision to turn away from sinful behaviors and practices (Isaiah 55:7, Acts 3:19).
Turning Towards God (Action Y): Seeking to live in accordance with God's will and commandments, often demonstrated through faith in Jesus Christ and a commitment to follow His teachings (Acts 26:20, Matthew 3:8).
Transformation and Renewal: Embracing a new way of life that reflects the values and principles of the Kingdom of God, resulting in a visible change in behavior and attitudes (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24).
Repentance is thus a process of turning away from sin (and other distractions) and turning towards God.
We’ve all been caught up in sin.
King Solomon said that our sin can “ensnare” us and bind us with its “cords.” See Proverbs 5:22. How true.
Sometimes we head towards sin and need to turn back around—i.e., repent—the classic 180°.
Not today, Satan
Other times, like Peter, we take our eyes off Jesus and become distracted instead.
This requires repentance as well.
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Peter wasn’t necessarily sinning. He obeyed Jesus and left the boat to walk on the water.
But then he shifted his attention from Jesus to the storm.
And what happened?
He started to sink.
This required repentance; this required Peter to shift his attention back to Jesus.
And sure enough, Jesus was there to rescue Peter.
In the same way, Jesus is always there to receive us, to reach out his hand and save us—not only from our sins—but from the world’s distractions as well.
Christian, I trust that you know your sins. They should be obvious to you in your walk with Christ.
But do you know your distractions as well?
When your eyes turn away from Christ, where do they go?
Do they turn to your circumstances? The number in your bank account? The number of followers? The shrill voice of the enemy plaguing you with “What ifs”?
Are you distracted by the things of this world? Are you distracted by the unknown future—that distant place that never arrives but is always at the front of your mind?
Then you need to repent.
You need to turn away from these distractions and turn toward God instead. I promise you He has the answer to all of your problems. I promise you his hand is reaching out to save you from the storm.
Repentance in action
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Turn away from sin.
Stop being distracted by the storm.
Focus on Jesus instead.
Hope you have a blessed week.
See you next Thursday,
CFW
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