It seems that lately, the word repent has become a four-letter word—one that we tip-toe around or not give much attention to. Gang, this is alarming.
Typically, when we think of repenting, we think of being sorry for something we’ve done. It’s more a feeling than an action.
The Greek word for repent in the New Testament is metanoia, which means to change one’s mind. And this particular mind-change involves the turning away from sin with contrition toward God. Unfortunately, it’s when we zoom in that modern-day Christians begin to get a little squeamish about this word.
The repentance—metanoia—called for throughout the Bible is actually an all-in summons to a personal, absolute, ultimate, and unconditional surrender to God as Sovereign Lord. And though it includes sorrow and regret, it’s much more than that. In repenting, one makes a complete change of direction. I’m talking about a total 180 toward God and away from your sin. But when we get to the nitty-gritty of repentance, it’s a bit too gritty for a lot of folks who will begin to see repent as a four-letter word.
Repentance Has Changed Locations
I believe repentance has changed locations over the last few decades. It’s been a slow change, but it’s moved from the foot of the Cross to the conference room table.
God does not negotiate in His offer of salvation to humankind. The ultimate price of Christ’s sinless life on the Cross has already been paid. So we have no negotiating power with God. And even if we did, we can’t afford it. We’ve all sinned, so we’re all disqualified. That’s why it’s so strange that repentance ever traveled this bizarre journey from the Cross to the conference table. It’s like boarding a submarine for a trip to Mars. It just isn’t going to happen. It’s bizarre that we even think that way. Nevertheless, subs are sold out years in advance for a make-believe voyage that will never take place.
I believe many picture salvation like this: God offers salvation, and we receive it through belief. We hear about God’s great sacrifice of His Son in Gospel verses, like John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life.” (I love that it’s the entire gospel in a single verse!) Many receive this almost-too-good-to-be-true-sounding news with great joy—for maybe 10 seconds—then they’re looking to upgrade, to negotiate with God. Seriously, what could be better than forgiveness of sin, adoption into the family of God, and then eternal life?!
Nevertheless, it’s off to the conference room table with our beliefs in order to renovate it into “Belief 2.0” or the “belief remix.” Call it what you want, but we’ve been doing this since the very beginning—and I mean from the very beginning when the first man and the first woman were convinced by Satan that paradise—a perfect paradise where they walked and talked with God in the cool of the afternoon every single day—wasn’t good enough for them and that they were victims of God holding out on them. (And we all know how that ended. See Genesis 1-3 for a refresher.)
Yet, here we are today with the same lawyer Adam and Eve had in the Garden, attempting to retain this eternal life, the family adoption, and clean slate, minus the repentance. “Yep, I’ll take salvation, God, and let’s see, what else? Oh, a blessed life sounds good. Your favor would be nice. Freedom to live only for myself—I added that in—and hold the repentance. Thank you!”
Now, we can chuckle at this far-fetched portrayal, but in reality, the stakes are high, eternally high. Thankfully, God sent His Son on a rescue mission to purchase our freedom—a free gift, so gracious and undeserved.
And that’s the key: it’s undeserved and free, but it’s also un-alterable. We need to see things God’s way.
Three Things to Remember About Repentance
So, how do you do that 180—turn your back on the sin that continues to tempt you—and see things God’s way? Well, there’s no 12-step program, but here are a few points to remember about repentance.
Pray – Prayer shouldn’t be something you do as a last resort, but rather, it should be the first thing you do. Romans 2:4 says that the kindness of God leads us to repentance. Pray and thank God that you can turn to Him and ask Him for His help and guidance. He wants to help you through this.
It’s a Daily Journey – We may be saved instantly, but we are not perfected instantly. Repentance is key to growing daily in our relationship with Christ. That’s because the Christian life is a journey. For the rest of your life, you will contend with the sinful and selfish tendencies of your flesh. The only way to overcome this ongoing struggle with sin is through repentance. Lean on Him daily.
Keep Your Faith Strong – Stay grounded in God’s Word. It will encourage you and help you stay strong in your journey. In addition to Romans 2:4 above, here are a few more scriptures to encourage you about this:
- 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
- Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- Psalm 119:37 – “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
- James 4: 7-8a – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
Gang, there is no negotiation on repentance. To repent is to change our minds about sin and seeing things our own way, and to see things entirely God’s way. This change of mind, as I’ve said throughout, is to repent, and it’s not a four-letter word.
I’d like to invite you to stay encouraged with more good news by checking out my twice-weekly video series, “Ask P-RO,” on my YouTube channel. I address issues just like this one in a real and relevant way. Check it out every Tuesday and Friday! And don’t forget to check out The Summit’s weekly online worship experiences every Sunday morning at 9am and 11am Mountain time. I look forward to having you join us!