Showing posts with label repentance meaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label repentance meaning. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

What is the meaning of repentance in the Bible?

I received a text yesterday from someone who said they were not sure they understood repentance as it applies in Scripture. To understand it, it is good to go to the original language used to pen it. In the New Testament repentance is the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia) which means a change of mind. This change of mind reflects agreement with God. Before I delve deeper, here are a couple of practical examples of what I mean.

God's thoughts

 

Our thought: I am a good person.

God’s thoughts:

“All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one” (Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:12).

“And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18).

Our thoughts: I need to clean up my life so I can get to heaven.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).

In these two examples, people think they can earn their way to heaven. One thinks they are good enough, and the other thinks they need to clean up their act for God to love them. When we repent (change our mind and attitude to agree with God), we admit we are sinners (not “good”) and we accept that God loved us while we were sinners, and that Christ died for us because he loved us and because we are sinners. He took our place on the cross, and paid for our sins. And  those who believe in Him, by that very act of FAITH, are receiving Him, and become his children, forever. 

Bible

 Define repentance

In the Oxford Dictionary, the definition repent is 1) Feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin, 2) View or think of (an action or omission) with deep regret or remorse, 3) Feel regret or penitence about

When we read a Bible translated into our own language, it can confuse things because our understanding is based on what we think the word means. However, when reading something translated from another language, it is wise to dig into the original words and their meanings. In the case of the New Testament, it was penned in Greek, and when you look up the Greek words it clarifies what is being said.

In the New Testament, you will find two different Greek verbs translated repent. One is metamelomai which means a regret or remorse for past actions. We find an example of this in Judas after he betrayed Jesus. He was sorry he did it, but he did not have a change of mind or heart toward God. The other is metanoia which means a change of mind. It is more than sorrow or regret. It is a moving from unbelief to belief. Just like when Abraham, by faith, believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6).

In 2 Peter 3:9 Peter says, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." The word repent here means change of mind. 

Romans 12:1-2

 

Paul explains what this looks like in Eph. 2:8-10. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” It is only through faith in Jesus (including who he is, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and all that he taught and did) that we our saved. By God’s grace he offers people the gift of salvation. When we agree with him (change our mind) and accept that gift by faith we are saved. Our lives are changed and continue to change as we grow in him, as we read his Word and continue to renew our minds by the washing of the Word (Rom. 12:1-2).

Image by Prawny from Pixabay

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Repentance toward God

 

[…]I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Acts 20:20-21.

 


The word repentance is a commonly used word in Christianity, but it isn’t so common in today’s vernacular. What does it really mean? Better yet, when it comes to Scripture, what does it have to do with you? 

 

What does repentance mean?

Noah Webster’s 1828 definition of repentance is: “Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.” As a result of that renewed mind, we are to “produce fruit consistent with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). It is more than being sorry for our sins. Rather it is a godly sorrow that God works within us. This godly sorrow; this recognition of our fallen condition leads to belief that Jesus paid the price to cure that condition. When we believe, not just intellectually but in faith, we are saved.

Works of repentance

We can do nothing to “get” or “earn” salvation. In Acts 26:20, Paul says that he “preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.” If it isn’t about works, and we can’t do enough good things to earn our salvation, then what are works of repentance? Thinking that good works make us "good" is backward thinking. It is carnal thinking. The works of repentance mentioned in Scripture work from the inside out. They come about as a result of turning to God and the renewing of the mind through the washing of the Word. What we do reflects our change in thinking and motives. 

 

Repentance toward God and the indwelling Holy Spirit

When we turn away from our ways and turn toward God (repentance), it shows we agree with him about our spiritual condition. We believe He has made the sacrifice for our sin and accept His finished work on the cross. It is by His grace we receive that faith and are saved, though we are not forced to accept it. God leaves that choice for us. 

For those of us who accept what He has done, we become “believers” and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This seals us as children of God and joint-heirs with Christ. As such, one of the works worthy of repentance that we have the privilege of taking part in is to help others see God’s way so they too can turn from their way to His and receive eternal life.

Photo credits: Scripture As Art, pixabay,
Patrick Slaven, pixabay

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About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions.

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