Introduction
When God regenerates a sinner, they must have real, genuine repentance. This is the sure sign of regeneration and part of their assurance of salvation. While this message goes over the points of repentance, it might cause us to question whether we are real Christians or not. However, its purpose is not to create doubt but to place our salvation firmly on Jesus, who has done everything for us. Regeneration means to be made new, to be born again, and it is a gift of God.
Consider the story of Lucinda Wilson, who went to jail for being suspected of murdering her fiancé’s ex-girlfriend. After three months in jail, she was released due to insufficient evidence. She began attending Bible study and became a Christian. After her conversion, she confessed to her church and to the public that she had indeed murdered the woman. She remains in jail to this day, serving a life sentence, paying the punishment for her crime. This is the sign of a true Christian — understanding and willing to sacrifice even their very life for the sake of repentance.
There are many nominal Christians who may be steady, consistent, and knowledgeable, yet they show no sign of regeneration. They go to church. They look like a Christian and act like a Christian. Those who have not repented are pretending. They are not born-again because regeneration results in true repentance.
Signs of True Repentance
A Changed Mind
Genuine repentance brought by regeneration (new birth) alters the mind of the sinner 180 degrees. The sinner’s direction is completely reversed. Repentance starts with the sinner’s mind first. This is a sudden and immediate change, not a gradual one. Ephesians 4:17-20 shows us the unregenerate unbeliever. Their minds are darkened and given over to every kind of impurity. Luke 15:17 says, “When he came to himself”. The prodigal son came to his senses. Before this moment, he had done whatever he wanted, living a life of unbridled sin. But suddenly, he came to himself. This is regeneration.
Regeneration is monergistic, meaning God acts alone. It is not like conversion which is synergistic, involving both God and man. Regeneration is completely done by God alone. Regeneration precedes faith and starts in the mind. The son’s understanding and view of his father is now different. “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!” Before, in verse 12, the son hated his father and wanted nothing to do with him. He probably considered his father a tyrant and left. When someone is regenerated, they gain a new view of God. They turn toward God and see Him as loving and merciful. Consider Moses. He was a murderer who rejected God and escaped to the desert for 40 years. But later in Exodus 34:6, Moses declares, “Yahweh, Yahweh, God who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding with loyal love and faithfulness”. Regeneration first changes our view of God.
Fear of Death and Judgement
Regeneration causes a fear of death. Before being regenerated, the son lived life as he pleased without fear of consequences or death. This is how society lives today—doing whatever they want without fearing death. But death is terrifying because after death comes judgment. “I am dying here with hunger” represents spiritual death. Many Christian testimonies include the sudden realization of God’s judgment and becoming fearful of death. John 3:18 reminds us that we all face judgment. John Bunyan cried out, “My soul is dying, my soul is damning.” When God changes someone’s mind, they develop a fear of death and judgment.
Why is this process important? Without it, we cannot be genuine Christians. Consider Simon, the famous magician in the book of Acts. Simon believed and was baptized because he saw the miracles, but his salvation was based on the signs and not on repentance. So was Simon born again? Acts 8:19 shows that Simon was still pursuing the same power and magic arts. His mind was not changed, so his actions did not change. A changed mind leads to changed action.
A Desire for Accountability
True repentance wants to be held accountable. Returning to Lucinda Wilson’s story, she could have continued her life as a Christian. She had repented to God, so shouldn’t that be sufficient? The case was cold. Yet, by true repentance, she wanted accountability; therefore, she confessed to her church and to the police. We see in the modern church a repentance that doesn’t lead to change. People repent, but nothing changes. True repentance leads to accountability. Another example is Zacchaeus who desired to repay anyone he had wronged and give half his possessions to the poor. Zacchaeus’s desire to right his wrongs was not his earning salvation but the result of his repentance, showing his desire for restitution (Luke 19:8). Jesus accepted Zacchaeus’s repentance (Luke 19:9). In Luke 15:18, the prodigal son decides to return to his father. No matter how he might be received or what he might have to endure, he desired to confess to his father.
“I have sinned against heaven”. Sin is serious because it goes against God. “Every sin is an act of cosmic treason, a futile attempt to dethrone God in His sovereign authority.” (R. C. Sproul) Even earthly nations treat treason with capital punishment. Sin is treason against God. Because of its seriousness, we must confess every day. God remembers every sin. No sin is too small. Matthew 12:36 reminds us that we will give account for every careless word. God is sovereign, omniscient, and omnipresent. Even before there is a word on our tongue, He knows it all (Psalm 139:4). True repentance takes sin seriously and desires accountability. The accountability also portrays the power of God’s grace, when even the most wicked sins are confessed because they have been forgiven.
Humility
True Christians try to be humble in all circumstances. If we mess up, do we ask for forgiveness? This is a sign of humility. How do we know the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was qualified and accepted by God the Father? Whatever happened with Jesus and to Jesus, he dealt with it in humility. Everything He did was done in humility, from His birth, to His ministry, to His death and resurrection.
The prodigal son confesses, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” The son no longer claims any right to any title. He can only ask, actually demand, to be made a servant. Humility is a sign of true repentance.
The Apostle Paul was also humble. In Romans 7:24, he wanted to be righteous but admitted in reality that he was a wretched man. Paul’s humility began at his conversion (1 Timothy 1:15). Humility is not learned but given with our born-again life. Christians are not called to be like Christ by our effort, but we are given all that we are at our new birth. Richard Baxter wrote, “The very design of the gospel is to abase us; and the work of grace is begun and carried on in humiliation. Humility is not a mere ornament of a Christian, but an essential part of the new creature. It is a contradiction in terms, to be a Christian, and not humble…” Christians are not trying to be humble. We start off humble if we truly are born again and have true repentance.
Conclusion
We are all prodigal sons. Since Adam and Eve sinned, the bridge with God has been burned. All of us are sinners committing treason against God. True repentance is surrendering on Jesus’ terms and submitting to Him. Regeneration is a gift of God. Without true repentance caused by regeneration, we cannot be called Christians.
To those who are not born again, we continually pray for them and share the gospel. As we understand the precious gift of regeneration, we show the world that by God’s mercy, they too will be regenerated.
The story of the prodigal son is not just a parable. It’s our story. It’s the story of every sinner who has been regenerated by God’s grace and brought to genuine repentance. May we all examine our hearts to ensure we have experienced this supernatural work of God that transforms our minds, gives us a proper fear of judgment, and leads us to humble accountability before our Heavenly Father.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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