The Home and Urban Missions (HUM) of The Church of Pentecost aims to evangelise foreigners in Ghana and establish culturally relevant churches. HUM recently held the Emerging Leaders’ Conference at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, from March 13-14, 2025. The conference focused on identifying and training young converts with leadership potential to serve effectively within their local assemblies and communities.
Facilitators included Apostle Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo (National Co-ordinator, HUM), Pastors Emmanuel Foster Asamoah (NEC Member, HUM), Paul Kojo Mahama (Area Co-ordinator, Dansoman), and Jeremiah Atakpa (Area Co-ordinator, Aflao). Also present were Mrs Abigail Ofei-Badu (NEC Member, HUM) and Deaconess Dr Grace Owusu Aboagye (Consultant Pharmacist/Executive Director, Refresh-Rx Foundation).
Mrs Abigail Ofei-Badu delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “Repentance,” sharing real-life stories that highlighted the struggles individuals face in their journey toward true repentance. This discussion raised critical questions about the nature of true repentance, its signs, and the challenges Christians face in maintaining their faith.
Understanding True Repentance
Repentance is a foundational principle of the Christian faith, involving a complete transformation of heart, mind, and behaviour. The biblical term metanoia signifies a shift in thinking that leads to a change in action. True repentance requires acknowledging sin, feeling genuine sorrow, and making a conscious decision to turn away from sin and live in alignment with God’s will.
King David and Apostle John emphasise the importance of confessing sins and seeking forgiveness. Genuine sorrow, as described by Apostle Paul, produces repentance leading to salvation. True repentance is evident in a change in behaviour, where a repentant person strives to live a life that pleases God.
Repentance is a continuous process of transformation, reflecting a commitment to righteousness and a deepened relationship with God.
The Two Scenarios and Their Biblical Implications
Scenario 1: The Selective Christian
A man struggling with alcoholism decided to turn over a new leaf. He went to church, confessed his sins, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. However, despite being in the church for some time, he continued drinking alcohol. When his relatives confronted him about his drinking habits, he justified his actions by saying, “I have heard that there is a verse in Habakkuk which frowns on drinking alcohol. I don’t want to quit, so I always skip that book.”
This man’s approach reveals selective obedience to God’s word. He acknowledged his need for salvation but was unwilling to fully submit to the authority of Scripture. Instead of allowing God’s word to convict him and lead him to change, he deliberately avoided parts of the Bible that challenged his sinful lifestyle. This mirrors the attitude of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22-23, where Saul obeyed God only partially and justified his disobedience. Similarly, Apostle James warns believers, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (Jam. 1:22).
This story reflects the struggle of many Christians today who profess faith in Christ but continue to hold onto their past sins. True repentance requires complete surrender to God. Avoiding parts of Scripture that confront our weaknesses only leads to spiritual stagnation and self-deception.
Scenario 2: The Transformed Life
A man notorious for his violent nature encountered Christ and experienced a radical transformation. Before his conversion, he was feared for his aggression, often beating people without provocation. However, after being won to Christ through the church, he repented and surrendered his life to God.
One day, a woman he owed money confronted him publicly, calling him names. The crowd that gathered expected the worst, knowing his past behaviour. They warned the woman to stop provoking him, as they believed he would react violently. However, the man remained calm and, to everyone’s surprise, responded, “The God of Pentecost has held my hands at my back.”
This was a powerful statement of transformation. The man, who was once feared for his uncontrollable temper, now displayed remarkable self-restraint, attributing his change to God’s power. His transformation mirrors the experience of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8-9, who, after encountering Jesus, immediately committed to making restitution and living righteously. His story also aligns with Apostle Paul’s message to the church in Corinth, which declares, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Unlike the first man, who resisted change, this second man embraced his new identity in Christ. His repentance was genuine, producing visible evidence of a transformed life. His reliance on God’s strength, rather than his own, underscores the biblical truth made by the apostle Paul to the church in Philippai, which states, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose” (Php. 2:13).
Lessons for Contemporary Christians
Firstly, true repentance demands a complete turning away from sin rather than selective obedience. The first man exemplified a common struggle among many who desire the benefits of Christianity yet refuse to fully relinquish behaviours that contradict God’s will. While he acknowledged his need for salvation, his unwillingness to submit entirely to God’s authority revealed an incomplete repentance. This mirrors the challenge faced by many today who profess faith but continue to cling to habits, desires, and lifestyles that contradict biblical teachings. The apostle Paul urges believers not to conform to worldly patterns but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom. 12:2). Likewise, Jesus states, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). True repentance, therefore, is not partial or conditional; it requires a wholehearted commitment to living according to God’s will.
Secondly, obedience to God’s word cannot be selective, as demonstrated by the first man’s deliberate avoidance of scripture that convicted him. Many believers today adopt a similar approach, embracing only the aspects of the Bible that align with personal preferences while disregarding passages that challenge their behaviour. However, the apostle Paul makes it clear that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17.) The Christian life demands full submission to the entirety of God’s word, not a selective application that accommodates personal desires. Apostle James further warns, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (Jam. 1:22). True obedience means accepting divine truth even when it requires difficult changes, knowing that spiritual growth is rooted in complete alignment with God’s teachings.
Next, true repentance produces a visible change, distinguishing between those who merely profess faith and those who genuinely live transformed lives. The contrast between the two men highlights this reality. While the first continued in his old ways, the second man demonstrated undeniable evidence of transformation. His response to provocation—choosing restraint rather than aggression—was a testimony to his changed heart. The apostle Paul underscores that a life rooted in true repentance bears the fruit of the Spirit, characterised by “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). Similarly, John the baptiser instructs believers to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8). Repentance is not simply about expressing regret but about a lifestyle that visibly reflects Christ’s nature.
Furthermore, relying on God’s strength is key to overcoming sin, as seen in the testimony of the second man, who acknowledged that it was God who restrained him. True transformation cannot be achieved by human effort alone but is a work of grace. Many struggle to break free from sinful habits because they rely solely on willpower rather than seeking divine help. Apostle Paul provides a powerful reminder that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Php. 4:13). Additionally, Jesus Christ states, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Recognising this truth allows believers to surrender their weaknesses to God and trust in His power to bring lasting change.
Finally, repentance must be accompanied by accountability and humility, as seen in the second man’s openness to acknowledge God’s work in his life. Unlike the first man, who justified his sin, the second man understood his need for divine help and did not attempt to excuse his past actions. King Solomon affirms that “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Prov. 28:13). Confession and accountability are essential aspects of true repentance. James 5:16 encourages believers to “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” A repentant heart does not seek to rationalise sin but humbly accepts correction. Christians should, therefore, be willing to hold themselves accountable to God and to fellow believers, allowing their lives to be shaped by truth and genuine transformation.
Conclusion
True repentance is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, requiring a complete transformation of heart, mind, and behaviour. It goes beyond mere confession and manifests in a life fully surrendered to God. Genuine repentance demands full submission to God’s word, embracing its teachings entirely. Without this commitment, repentance remains superficial, leading to spiritual stagnation.
Repentance must produce visible evidence of change, reflecting the biblical principle that faith without works is dead. A truly repentant believer exhibits the fruit of the Spirit, relying on God’s strength to overcome sin. Accountability and humility are crucial, as those who confess and renounce their sins receive mercy and foster spiritual growth through mutual support.
The message of repentance serves as a reminder for Christians to examine their faith. True repentance is a lifelong commitment to walking in obedience to God, continually surrendering to His will and allowing His word and Spirit to shape their lives.
Written by Pastor Emmanuel Foster Asamoah (Abasraba District Minister/NEC Member, HUM)
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