REPENT – CHANGE YOUR MIND

…that they should REPENT, turn to God, and do works befitting REPENTANCE – Acts 26:20

A very important and biblical aspect of transformation is REPENTANCE. The Greek word translated “repent” is metanoeo, which means “change your mind.” Repentance is a change in thinking that leads to a renouncing of wrong and turning to God. The wrong may be sin, iniquity, unrighteousness, or whatever else displeases God. Why repent? We must repent, essentially because wrong beliefs lead to wrong behaviour; and our understanding of God and what He requires of us is sometimes warped. A change of mind would therefore lead to a change of action or direction.

There is a clear difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow may simply feel sad about getting caught or suffering the unpleasant consequences of sins. Godly sorrow does not stop at feeling sorry, but is a genuine remorse for one’s sins, which leads to repentance. Paul praised the Corinthians for understanding this difference (2Cor.7:9). Paul’s mandate was to call people to “repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20). Their repentance ultimately led to deliverance from their sinful habits. Repentance does not mean just nodding in polite agreement with God, and continuing the same way we were going. When we turn our thoughts, minds and hearts toward God and truly agree with Him about what is right, our behaviour will follow – our actions would change accordingly.

Repentance means hating iniquity, unrighteousness, and whatever else God hates, enough to turn from them. Instead of going carelessly along, assuming that your choices are right, you need to regularly pause and ponder: “Could I be wrong?” It is only when you are willing to admit being wrong that you can be certain of being right with God. Repentance however requires the prompting and enablement of the Holy Spirit. That’s why it is scriptural to pray for repentance (2Tim.2:24-26).

Ultimately, the room for repentance is a reflection of divine Love! When, in the book of Revelations, the Lord told the churches to repent, He was revealing His love for wayward saints. His goal was not to condemn but to restore them to intimate fellowship with Him. Repentance restores and renews our intimacy with the Lord! God corrects His own, in order to reward those who live to please Him. For anyone who desires to live a life that pleases Christ, repentance is the wisest choice!