In Acts 3:19 we find, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of Yahweh.”
What does “repent” really mean? According to the original Greek, it means to “turn” or “change directions.” The basic implication of conversion refers to turning away from the whole world system and turning wholeheartedly to Yahweh. It does not mean saying you’re sorry for your sins, accepting Yahshua into your hearts, then going right back to your worldly way of living. No, there must be a profound change in your life.
Our entire thought processes must change. The Scriptures become our manual for right living when we are truly converted. Without real repentance and conversion, there won’t be salvation. As Yahshua said in Matthew 18:3, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Consider how innocent and teachable little children are. We must likewise be so.
There are regrettably many people who think they have been converted but are not. This is evidenced by the fruit produced in their lives. Some have never really changed their worldly thinking but they believe they have been saved. We read in 2 Corinth. 5:17, “If any man be in Messiah, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Perhaps one of the most frightening passages in Scripture can be found in Matthew 7: 22-23, where we learn that, “Many will say to me in that day, Master, Master...And then will I profess unto them, ’I never knew you.’ After reading this, we should all be moved to investigate our own lives to see whether or not we fall into this category of people. Let us follow the admonition in 2 Corinthians 13: 5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”