Repentance and God's Mercy and Forgiveness Relationship

Repentance, mercy, and forgiveness are deeply interconnected concepts in biblical thought, forming a pathway for humanity's reconciliation with God. Repentance involves a fundamental change of mind and purpose, leading to a transformation of life ^[2]. God's mercy is His compassion for the miserable, while forgiveness is the act of pardoning sin, both of which are made possible through Christ's atoning work ^{[5, 8]}.

Repentance: A Change of Mind and Life

The New Testament uses several Greek words to describe repentance, with metanoeo and its cognate noun metanoia signifying a true change of mind, purpose, and life, to which the remission of sin is promised ^[2]. This is distinct from metamelomai, which denotes regret or remorse but not necessarily a change of heart, as seen in the repentance of Judas (Matthew 27:3) ^[2]. True repentance is not merely sorrow for consequences but a turning away from sin and toward God ^[6]. It is a gift from God, given by His grace, and is preached in the name of Christ ^{[10, 6]}. The apostle Paul testified to both Jews and Greeks, emphasizing "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" ^[9]. This repentance is directed "toward God" because it recognizes Him as the one dishonored by sin, leading to compunction and acknowledgment of His righteous demands ^[9].

Repentance is commanded to all by God (Ezekiel 18:30-32; Acts 17:30) and by Christ (Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:3) ^[6]. Christ came specifically to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13) and was exalted to give it (Acts 5:31) ^[6]. The operation of the Holy Spirit is also involved in bringing about repentance (Zechariah 12:10) ^[6]. The long-suffering and goodness of God are intended to lead individuals to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) ^[6]. This turning from sin is often described as a turning from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9) ^[6].

God's Mercy and Forgiveness

Mercy is defined as compassion for those who are suffering ^[5]. Its object is misery, and it is a divine attribute demonstrated throughout scripture (Genesis 19:19; Exodus 20:6; 34:6, 7; Psalms 86:15, 16) ^[5]. The psalmist declares, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other]" (Psalms 85:10) ^[4]. This verse highlights how God's mercy is not exercised at the expense of His truth or righteousness. Instead, in Christ, mercy and truth converge ^[5].

Forgiveness is intrinsically linked to God's mercy. The prophet Daniel proclaims, "Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord, our God, for we have rebelled against him" (Daniel 9:9, LEB) ^[3]. This statement underscores that forgiveness is an attribute of God, extended despite human rebellion. The exercise of God's mercy and forgiveness is made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Christ ^[5]. The atonement, meaning "at-one-ment" or reconciliation, refers to the state of being reconciled and the means by which this reconciliation is achieved—the death of Christ ^{[7, 12]}. Through Christ's death, a way is opened for God to extend mercy to humanity in a manner consistent with His truth and righteousness ^[5].

The connection between repentance, mercy, and forgiveness is evident in the Gospel message. The doctrine of repentance is presented alongside the remission of sins, both preached in Christ's name ^[10]. God's method is to awaken compassion in individuals towards others by first demonstrating His own immense compassion towards them ^[11]. This divine mercy is a foundational aspect of the atonement, which exhibits the grace and love of God (Romans 8:32; Ephesians 2:4, 5, 7; 1 John 4:9, 10) ^[8].

Reconciliation and Atonement

The concept of reconciliation is central to understanding how repentance, mercy, and forgiveness operate. Reconciliation signifies a change from enmity to friendship ^[1]. It is a mutual process, involving a change in both parties who were at odds ^[1]. In the context of humanity and God, reconciliation involves a change in the sinner's character, moving from enmity against God due to wicked works to full confidence and love for Him (Colossians 1:21, 22) ^[1]. The apostle Paul urges believers to "be reconciled to God," meaning to set aside their enmity (2 Corinthians 5:20) ^[1].

The atonement, as described in Romans 5:11, is often translated as "reconciliation" in modern versions, reflecting its original meaning of bringing two estranged parties back together ^{[7, 12]}. This reconciliation is a benefit received through Christ, allowing believers to glory in God ^[12]. The atonement, therefore, is the means by which God's mercy and forgiveness are extended to those who repent, leading to a restored relationship with Him ^{[7, 8]}. It is a demonstration of God's love and grace, reconciling His justice and mercy ^[8].

The call to repentance is a call to turn from sin and embrace the mercy and forgiveness offered by God through Christ. This turning is not merely an intellectual assent but a profound change that reorients one's life towards God, allowing for the reception of His compassion and the restoration of a broken relationship.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
Daniel “Daniel 9:9 (LEB) — ⌞Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord, our God⌟, for we have rebelled against him,”
Psalms “Psalms 85:10 (Webster) — Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other].”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mercy — Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Repentance — What it is -- Isa 45:22; Mt 6:19-21; Ac 14:15; 2Co 5:17; Col 3:2; 1Th 1:9; Heb 12:1,2. Commanded to all by God -- Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30. Commanded by Christ -- Re 2:5,16; 3:3. Given by God -- Ac 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. Christ came to call sinners to -- Mt 9:13. Christ exalted to give -- Ac 5:31. By the operation of the Holy Spirit -- Zec 12:10. Called repentance to life -- Ac 11:18. Called repentance to salvation -- 2Co 7:10. We should be led to, by The long-suffering of God. -- Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9. The goodness of God. -- Ro 2:4. The chastisements of Go”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Atonement — This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Rom. 5:11, where in the Revised Version the word "reconciliation" is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation. Thus it is used to denote the effect which flows from the death of Christ. But the word is also used to denote that by which this reconciliation is brought about, viz., the death of Christ itself; and when so used it”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 20:21: Testifying both to Jews and . . . Greeks--laboring under a common malady, and recoverable only by a common treatment. repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ--(See on Act 5:31). REPENTANCE, as distinguished from faith, is that state of the "honest and good heart" which arises from a discovery of one's contrariety to the righteous demands of the divine law. This is said to be "toward God," because seeing Him to be the party dishonored by sin, it feels all its acknowledgments and compunctions to be properly due to Him, as the great”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 24:44: And that repentance and remission of sins,.... Which are the sum of the Gospel ministry; see Act 20:21 the doctrine of "repentance" is not of the law, which neither requires, nor admits of it, but of the Gospel. The Persic version calls it, "the Gospel of repentance"; a doctrine preached by John the Baptist, Christ, and his apostles; and the thing itself is a blessing of the covenant, a gift of God's grace, and in the hands of Christ to bestow; and therefore the doctrine of it is published in his name, as well as remission of sins; which, though it springs from the fre”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 5:7: Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy--Beautiful is the connection between this and the preceding beatitude. The one has a natural tendency to beget the other. As for the words, they seem directly fetched from Psa 18:25, "With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself merciful." Not that our mercifulness comes absolutely first. On the contrary, our Lord Himself expressly teaches us that God's method is to awaken in us compassion towards our fellow men by His own exercise of it, in so stupendous a way and measure, towards ourselves. In the par”
Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 5:11: And not only so, but we also joy--rather, "glory." in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by--"through" whom we have now received the atonement--rather, "the reconciliation" (Margin), as the same word is rendered in Rom 5:10 and in Co2 5:18-19. (In fact, the earlier meaning of the English word "atonement" was "the reconciliation of two estranged parties") [TRENCH]. The foregoing effects of justification were all benefits to ourselves, calling for gratitude; this last may be termed a purely disinterested one. Our first feeling towards God, after we h”

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