True Virtue, True Repentance: Understanding the Heart of Transformation

Virtue can be defined as a quality of moral excellence that shapes a person’s character. It is not simply the occasional performance of good actions but the development of habits and dispositions that lead to consistently good behavior. True virtue goes beyond momentary decisions; it reflects the kind of person one becomes over time through repeated choices aligned with God’s will. Virtue is not just about performing isolated good actions but about developing a character that consistently reflects those actions.  

      True virtue is built over time through repetition, much like mastering a skill you are not born with. Consider the example of a mathematician. As they solve a new problem, after the problem, they develop a mindset that sees the world mathematically, even when they’re not consciously solving equations. Similarly, a mechanic begins to see how machines work in everyday life. Over time, their mental habits are so conditioned by their practice that they think in these categories effortlessly. (C.S Lewis “Mere Christianity” P.77-78).  

        Even Consider a student studying outside their comfort zone—like an English major taking an accounting class, at first, it’s difficult for them to think like an accountant, but as they immerse themselves in studying for exams and completing assignments, something happens. They go to a store, and instead of crafting a poetic description of the scene, they start thinking about the company’s financial spreadsheets. They may not always think like this, but the more they practice, the more natural it becomes when needed. This is the formation of a new habit of mind, a new element of character.   Repentance is a deep, spiritual turning away from sin and returning to God. It’s not simply about feeling guilty or sorry for our actions, nor is it about making up for the wrong we have done through personal effort.  

      True repentance is a transformation of the soul and of your character. All too often, repentance is misunderstood as merely feeling really bad about what we’ve done. We beat ourselves up emotionally, hoping that this shows how seriously we take our sin. Then, we try to make up for it, either by promising to do better or by trying to fix the situation. This form of repentance becomes more about us than about God or the people we’ve wronged. We focus on soothing our own guilt and restoring our sense of self-righteousness. The goal, for many, is to “feel better” or to get things “back to normal”—as if repentance were a transaction to clear our conscience. One common pattern of false repentance involves remorse and resolution. First, we feel shocked and regretful—”I can’t believe I did that!” We might even tell ourselves, “That’s not who I really am,” assuming that our sin is an anomaly rather than a reflection of deeper issues. Then, we resolve to do better next time—”I promise I’ll never do that again.” While this might seem like a positive step, it reveals a significant misunderstanding about our hearts, it shows we think too highly of ourselves causing us to think we have the power to fix ourselves. Even with much repetitive evidence we cannot fix ourselves, this pride forces us into the prison of trying and failing repeatedly.  

      This misguided view of repentance doesn’t just affect our relationship with God, it also affects how we treat others. When we think too highly of ourselves and believe we can change on our own, we tend to judge others harshly. We are lenient toward our own sins, but we are impatient and critical when others do not seem to improve as quickly as we think they should. We expect them to change themselves, just as we believe we can change ourselves. This judgmental attitude undermines our ability to extend grace to others and reflects a shallow understanding of true repentance.  

      True repentance is not just about changing outward actions; it’s about allowing God to transform our hearts. As Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This kind of repentance recognizes that sin is not just an external issue—it’s rooted in our innermost being. Therefore, our focus should be on asking God to change our hearts, not just our behavior. (appstatecru “The Gospel Centered Life” lesson 5).  

     True repentance is a response to God’s grace. It acknowledges that only through Christ can we be delivered from both the penalty and the power of sin. Instead of relying on our own strength to change, we turn to Jesus for forgiveness, healing, and the ability to live in newness of life.  

     Both virtue and repentance share a common theme: they are not merely about outward actions but about forming a deeper quality of the heart. While on the surface, it might seem that virtue is about doing good deeds and repentance is about correcting bad ones, both concepts dive far deeper than that. In both cases, surface-level changes are not enough. True virtue and true repentance require the reshaping of our motivations, desires, and will. They move beyond the external and reach into the deepest parts of who we are, creating lasting change from within. To grow physically, one must regularly exercise and maintain healthy habits. To grow intellectually, one must study, practice, and engage in challenging mental tasks. In the same way, spiritual growth is not an instant process but one that requires perseverance, discipline, and reliance on God’s grace. Practices like prayer, studying Scripture, worship, and engaging in Christian community help shape the heart and mind in alignment with God’s will. Over time, these spiritual disciplines cultivate a deeper, more mature faith that guides a Christian’s actions, thoughts, and responses, even when they are not consciously thinking about it. This process of repetition and discipline builds spiritual “muscle memory,” helping believers naturally reflect Christ-like character in all areas of life. Performing good actions occasionally is commendable, but it does not necessarily make one a virtuous person. The distinction lies in embodying those virtues consistently. For example, anyone can perform an act of kindness or tell the truth occasionally, but a person of virtue lives a life marked by kindness, honesty, and integrity—these traits define who they are, not just what they do.  

    It is crucial to understand that the call to cultivate virtue and pursue character improvement is not a call to work toward righteousness in the sense of achieving it on our own merit. Only God is inherently righteous. Our efforts cannot ever make us righteous, instead they reflect our desire for transformation and alignment with God’s righteous character. The pursuit of virtue and character improvement is a response to God’s grace in our lives. This desire for change is, in itself, a sign of genuine repentance. When we recognize our shortcomings and the areas where we fall short of God’s standards, it fosters a heart that longs for improvement and transformation. This process creates a positive cycle: our desire for character improvement leads to actions that foster growth, and as our character changes, we become more aligned with God’s righteousness. We begin to live out the truths of the Gospel, not as a means to an end but as a natural expression of our transformed identity in Christ. 

    Anyone can perform an act of kindness or tell the truth once in a while, but a person of virtue lives a life marked by kindness, honesty, and integrity—these traits define who they are, not just what they do. God is far more concerned with who we are becoming than with our adherence to rules. Following the rules for the sake of obedience alone can create a legalistic mindset. Repentance is often viewed negatively, associated with shame, guilt, and punishment. However, the biblical perspective of repentance is radically different. Repentance, according to Scripture, is about turning back to God and experiencing a deep renewal of the heart. It is life-giving, not shame-inducing. Instead of being rooted in guilt, true repentance is an invitation to receive God’s grace and mercy. It is not about punishing ourselves for our mistakes, but about acknowledging our need for God’s transformative power, aligning our hearts with His, and living in freedom from sin.  

    When we truly repent and recognize our own sinfulness, it humbles us. We become less judgmental and more grace-filled in our interactions. Instead of harshly criticizing others for their faults or expecting them to change quickly, we extend the same grace and patience that God shows to us. We begin to see others with compassion, understanding that, like us, they are also in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.  

   Both virtue and repentance are ultimately rooted in Christ’s work in us. It is through His grace, His sacrifice, and His ongoing presence in our lives that we are empowered to live in true freedom and righteousness. We cannot cultivate virtue or achieve repentance through sheer willpower or effort alone. It is only in Christ alone that our hope is found 

𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔨 𝔶𝔬𝔲,  

𝔅𝔢𝔫 𝔖𝔦𝔪𝔬𝔫  

10/23/24