Unrepentance is the state of not repenting or feeling remorse for one’s sins. It is the opposite of repentance, which involves turning away from sin and turning towards God. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about unrepentance:
Unrepentance is a serious sin
The Bible makes it clear that unrepentance is extremely displeasing to God. In Revelation 16:9, the people being judged “did not repent and give him [God] glory.” Their refusal to repent brought judgment upon them. In Revelation 2:21, Jesus gave the church in Thyatira time to repent, but they did not turn from their sinful ways. Jesus warned that he would “throw her [the false prophetess] onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works.” Unrepentance leads to God’s discipline and judgment.
Characteristics of an unrepentant person
Someone who is unrepentant often displays certain characteristics:
- They are prideful and self-righteous, refusing to admit their wrongdoing (Luke 18:9-14).
- They reject calls to repentance and continue in their sinful ways (Proverbs 29:1).
- They become cold-hearted, refusing to feel sorrow over their sin (2 Corinthians 7:10).
- They justify their sin rather than confessing it (1 John 1:8).
- They attack those who call them to repent (Jeremiah 6:10-15).
King David displayed the opposite attitude after his adultery and murder. He was broken over his sin and cried out to God for mercy and forgiveness (Psalm 51).
Dangers of an unrepentant heart
Continuing in unrepentance is very dangerous spiritually:
- It leads to a hard heart and closed ears (Zechariah 7:11-12).
- It brings God’s discipline and punishment (Revelation 2:5).
- It gives Satan an opportunity to tempt and accuse (2 Timothy 2:25-26).
- It prevents experiencing God’s love and forgiveness (Isaiah 59:1-2).
- It can lead to physical illness and premature death (1 Corinthians 11:30).
- It can result in loss of eternal life (Luke 13:3).
Clearly, stubbornly refusing to repent of sin has dire consequences. As Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment.”
God patiently calls sinners to repentance
In His great mercy, God continues reaching out to unrepentant sinners and calling them to turn to Him.
- He is patient and slow to anger, giving time and opportunity to repent (2 Peter 3:9).
- He disciplines those He loves to bring them back to Himself (Hebrews 12:6).
- He is kind and gracious, desiring all to come to repentance (Romans 2:4).
- He makes salvation available to all who humbly repent (Acts 11:18).
But there are limits to God’s patience if sinners persist in unrepentance. Continued stubbornness and hard-heartedness will eventually result in judgment (Romans 2:5). The time will come when it is too late to repent (Proverbs 1:24-31). Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
God grants repentance
Because of human pride and hardness of heart, Scripture indicates that God must take the initiative to grant repentance:
- He opens eyes, turning sinners from darkness to light (Acts 26:18).
- He gives the grace to repent (Acts 11:18; 5:31).
- He leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4).
- He is patient, not wanting any to perish but all to repent (2 Peter 3:9).
While God calls all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30), it is He who must overcome natural resistance and graciously enable true repentance. Salvation is all of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus calls sinners to repentance
Jesus began His public ministry with a call to repentance (Matthew 4:17). He said He came not for the righteous but to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). He taught that without repentance, sinners will perish (Luke 13:3,5). He warned whole towns that refused to repent, like Chorazin and Bethsaida (Matthew 11:20-24). And He provides grace to all who humble themselves, admit their unworthiness, and turn to Him in repentance (Matthew 18:2-4).
True repentance leads to salvation
While repentance is not easy, it is infinitely better than the alternative of persisting in hardness of heart and unbelief. When sinners recognize their lost condition and repent of their sins, wonderful things happen:
- They experience forgiveness and cleansing from sin (Acts 3:19).
- They receive refreshing times from God (Acts 3:19).
- They enter God’s kingdom and gain eternal life (Luke 13:3,5).
- They begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:19-20).
- They become new creations and receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
That is the beauty of true, wholehearted repentance. God promises that He will gladly receive all who come to Him in humility and faith (Luke 15:11-32).
Repentance is a lifelong attitude
Repentance is not a one-time event, but an attitude that should characterize the entire Christian life:
- We should continually test and examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5).
- We need to remain humble and teachable in God’s presence (James 4:6-10).
- We must make any wrongs right as the Spirit convicts us (Matthew 5:23-24).
- We should repent quickly after sinning to restore fellowship with God (1 John 1:9).
- We must walk daily in the Spirit, putting sin to death (Romans 8:13).
As believers, we stumble and fall into sin but we get back up again through repentance. It is a lifestyle, not a single event.
Godly sorrow leads to repentance
Worldly sorrow is a feeling of guilt and regret over sins’ consequences. In contrast, godly sorrow is grief and brokenness over having offended a holy God. Sorrow according to God’s will leads to sincere repentance (2 Corinthians 7:8-11). The tax collector in Luke 18:13 cried out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Peter wept bitterly after denying Jesus, leading to repentance and restoration (Luke 22:61-62). True repentance flows from humility, godly sorrow, and hatred of our sin.
Repentance requires turning from sin
Repentance is more than feeling regret or remorse. It requires a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. Zacchaeus demonstrated this repentance after meeting Jesus. He vowed to repay those he defrauded and give half his possessions to the poor (Luke 19:1-10). John the Baptist called people to “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). True repentance will be accompanied by actions like:
- Seeking restitution and forgiveness from those hurt.
- Abandoning sinful practices and destructive relationships.
- Walking in obedience to God’s Word.
Repentance is an inward attitude that results in outward transformation.
We must warn those in sin to repent
Ezekiel 3:18-19 explains that God holds watchmen accountable to warn those in sin to repent. 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us to preach the Word and rebuke, correct, and encourage with patience and careful instruction.
- We must humbly confront rather than condone or enable sinful behavior.
- We need to call people to repentance whenever we witness sin and deception.
- Our motivation should be love and concern for people’s spiritual condition.
- Our tone and approach should be gracious and non-judgmental.
Speaking the truth in love can serve as the catalyst for life-changing repentance (Ephesians 4:15).
Jesus gives peace to the repentant heart
While repentance may be painful for a time, it leads to rejoicing over the sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). Repentance gains us an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1).
- We receive the comfort of God’s forgiveness and cleansing.
- We gain victory over besetting sins that entangle us.
- We experience release from guilt, condemnation, and shame.
- We renew intimacy and fellowship with the Lord.
- We walk in freedom through the power of the Spirit.
Repentance opens the door for the Lord to enter in and restore our souls (Revelation 3:20).
Repentance will be preached until Christ’s return
In these last days before Christ’s return, the message of repentance needs to ring out boldly. Just as John the Baptist prepared people for the Messiah’s coming through a baptism of repentance, we too must call people to repent and believe the gospel. Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47). God is patiently giving time for lost souls to find salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. But a day is coming when the door of grace will be shut. Let us urgently heed and proclaim this call while we still can.
Conclusion
Unrepentance is a dangerous and foolish response to God’s offer of grace. The unrepentant person remains under God’s wrath and judgment, forfeiting forgiveness, cleansing, and eternal life. But repentance leads to salvation, renewal, and an eternal inheritance for those who turn from darkness to light. God patiently calls all people to repent through His Word, His messengers, and His Spirit. Tragically, many will spurn God’s kindness and hold onto their sins. But like the tax collector, we should continually humble ourselves, confess our sins, and receive God’s mercy. Our hearts must remain open and pliable before the Lord as we walk in repentance.