XXXVI: Repentance

30 March 2007 Common Era

"Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).

One of the core messages of the Gospel to mankind is the need for all men to repent. Unfortunately, some confusion has come about regarding what it means to "repent". Much of this confusion is due to the English term "repent," which means primarily "to express sorrow or regret," according to Webster. The Greek term is more expansive: metanoeo, defined by Thayer's as "to change one's mind; to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins." Metanoeo, then, refers not just to sorrow felt but also a change of mind.

This change of mind is almost universally equated with a mental determination at conversion to no longer walk in the futility of sin and to begin walking in "newness of life" (cf. Romans 6:3-7). While making a mental determination to change is the first step, can the intention of the mind really be fully equated with the changing of one's mind?

Repentance, then, is more involved than just a "mental determination". Repentance is not just a one-time event; repentance must be a process. If we truly repent, we do not just make a new mental resolution, nor do we simply change our actions; we also must change how we think and how we perceive the world (2 Corinthians 10:5). The "putting to death" of the man of sin, which is set on the things of the flesh and thinking worldly things in worldly ways, leads to "walking in newness of life," not just by doing different things, but seeing the world differently. Repentance is indeed a "change of mind"; to fully repent, we change our worldview and perspective.

By looking at repentance in its full meaning, we better understand how repentance from sin can work-- while we strive for complete sinlessness (cf. Matthew 5:48), repentance involves the process of going from a mind set on sin to a mind set free from sin and captive to God (cf. Romans 6:16-23). If our fundamental perspective is based on being servants of God, we will look at sin accordingly in its ugliness. We will be tempted, and indeed we will succumb at times, but if we maintain the attitude in keeping with repentance we will do what we can to remove it from our lives (1 John 1:6-8).

How much of the fate of converts rests on whether they fully and truly repent? If one who gets baptized never really gets involved in his faith or in spiritual things, does not spend much time learning and practicing, and therefore does not really see things much differently than they did while unbelievers, what will happen if temptations or trials come (cf. Matthew 13:5, 20-21; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16)? If, however, one gets baptized and gets involved in the faith and in spiritual matters, learning from the assemblies and their own study, and constantly strives to practice what Jesus commands, will this person not start "thinking Biblically" and acting in godly ways and find that they look at the world and themselves differently (cf. Hebrews 5:14), will they not be better able and more equipped to persevere through trial and temptation?

It should be manifest that we cannot reach this level of development in the faith by changes in action alone. While changes in action are good, God is more interested in a change of mind; such is metanoeo, repentance. If we develop a godly worldview, mindset, and attitude, godly actions will follow. Change in action without a change in mind will not suffice, for such is not complete repentance.

Repentance is critical if we are going to be saved. Yes, we must express sorrow for the sins we have committed. Yes, we must make the mental determination to change our mind and our actions to conform to Christ. Nevertheless, until we have reformed our mind to think according to the things of God and to have a godly worldview, perspective, and attitude, we have not yet fully repented (Romans 12:2). If we no longer think according to the flesh, we will not act according to the flesh, and sin no longer represents a lifestyle but instead an occasional stumbling (cf. 1 John 1:8-10). Let us then bear fruit worthy of repentance (Acts 26:20)-- let us change our minds and how we view the world, and thus be conformed to the image of God!

ELDV