The Turnaround: Repentance From Sin

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

The wickedness of man on earth multiplied greatly after the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. In one place in particular, the wickedness was so serious that God spoke to Jonah the prophet and said, “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” Jonah was reluctant to go; however, he eventually obeyed God and went (Jonah 1:1–3). When the Ninevites heard the message of impending destruction of their city and people, they called for a fast, from the greatest to the least of them.

Then the king issued a proclamation that both man and beast should fast. He said, “… let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” When the Ninevites heard the dire message from God, they repented of their evil and turned to God for mercy (Jonah 3).

The reaction of the Ninevites is a very good example of true repentance. They recognized they had sinned against God; they showed genuine sorrow and remorse; they turned away from their sin, and then they turned back to God. “When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10; compare with Jeremiah 18:7–17).

And so it is today, “having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30–31). There is coming a day when God will not issue any more warnings. There will be a time when He will no longer plead with mankind to turn back to Him. God will judge each person for every evil deed committed. However, those who repent now, and then turn to God will be saved from that day that burns like a furnace (Malachi 4:1–3).