Steps of Repentance

When counting the omer, we will often focus on repentance. We repent of following our own ways and
ignoring the ways of the Kingdom of God. We turn from our ways and return to God and His Word. The
countdown to the time God gave us the Torah connects our deliverance from sin to His sanctification by His Word. The focus is on returning to Our Heavenly Father and His Ways. To make a full repentance there are five steps:

1. Confess
Confess those sins to God and all relevant parties, i.e., those who have been affected.
2. Acknowledge
Describe in detail how your sin has negatively impacted others.
3. Make Restitution
Make any possible restitution, amends, or reparations, Torah principles includes adding a percentage. We
work at making things better than before. It’s a part of putting the world back together.
4. Communicate — the Outline of Future Different Behavior
Speaking to the affected parties, tell them in detail what you shall do to ensure this will not happen again.
5. Enact — the Communicated Change of Behavior
Demonstrate followthrough by actually doing what you have outlined to the wronged parties.

True biblical repentance occurs only when all these steps have been carried out. We don’t expect perfection. We will make mistakes but our overall behavior has changed.

We can see these steps in scripture:

Confess
“He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy.”  (Proverbs 28:13, CJB)

Acknowledge
“If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing.” (1 John 1:9, CJB)

Acknowledge, Make Restitution and Communicate the Outline of Future Different Behavior:

“Do not hate your brother in your heart, but rebuke your neighbor frankly, so that you won't carry sin because of him. Don't take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people; rather, love your neighbor as yourself; I am Adonai.” (Leviticus 19:17-18, CJB)

“So if you are offering your gift at the Temple altar and you remember there that your brother has something against you, leave your gift where it is by the altar, and go, make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift. If someone sues you, come to terms with him quickly, while you and he are on the way to court; or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer of the court, and you may be thrown in jail!” (Matthew 5:23-25, CJB)

“Discuss your dispute with your neighbor, but don't reveal another person's secrets.” (Proverbs 25:9, CJB)

“Come now," says Adonai, "let's talk this over together. Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; even if they are red as crimson, they will be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land;” (Isaiah 1:18-19, CJB)

Make Restitution

“If a thief caught in the act of breaking in is beaten to death, it is not murder; unless it happens after sunrise, in which case it is murder. A thief must make restitution; so if he has nothing, he himself is to be sold to make good the loss from the theft. If what he stole is found alive in his possession, he is to pay double, no matter whether it is an ox, a donkey or a sheep. "If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in someone else's field, he is to make restitution from the best produce of his own field and vineyard.” (Exodus 22:1-4, CJB)

Enact the Communicated Change of Behavior

“So, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on bedrock. The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the winds blew and beat against that house, but it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25, CJB)

“The way we can be sure we know him is if we are obeying his commands. Anyone who says, "I know him," but isn't obeying his commands is a liar—the truth is not in him. But if someone keeps doing what he says, then truly love for God has been brought to its goal in him. This is how we are sure that we are united with him. A person who claims to be continuing in union with him ought to conduct his life the way he did.” (1John 2:3-6, CJB)

Let us take the time this season look to make our relationships with God and others right. Let’s make an intentional plan to return to the LORD and walk more closely to Him and in His Way. I encourage you to follow these steps of repentance. Write them out, even, to be clear and intentional. Before the end of Omer make a full repentance. Prepare to fully celebrate God bringing us His Torah and giving us the promise of the Father of His Holy Spirit writing His law on our hearts!