“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.” (Ezekiel 18:30 NKJV)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NASB)
“Now after John [the Baptist] was arrested and taken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of [the kingdom of] God, and saying, “The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self–your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].” (Mark 1:14-15 AMP)
I need to begin today by once again asking the question…
…What is repentance?
We have already seen that God will use our emotions to move us to the point of repentance. That is why I believe that the emotions (primarily of sorrow and/or awe) are many times the pathway to repentance. However, the emotions are not actually repentance itself. As a matter of fact, emotions are not a mandatory component of repentance. Just like with salvation, while many find it to be an emotional experience, at least as many have little or no emotions involved.
Repentance is not simply saying I’m sorry. It is definitely not being sorry for being caught, or sorry that I can’t continue to move in my current direction. It is not even just being sorry for what I did or did not do. Being sorry is nice, but if it doesn’t bring change in the area for which I am sorry it is of little value. It is also not simply acknowledging that God’s ways are different from my ways. It is not limited to recognizing my shortcomings or God’s goodness.
The Greek word that we translate to repentance in English is Metanoia. It is where we get the word metamorphosis. This word means to change. More specifically, a change of mind. It points to a change in direction. It is a shift in thinking. This change in thinking is intended to align my thoughts with the thoughts of my Creator. True repentance submits my ideas, my opinions, and my current understanding to those of my Heavenly Father. This change of mind will line up with the Mind of Christ. I will begin to think like Jesus. Repentance begins in my soul (mind) which then continues into what the Apostle Paul called renewing my mind. The Apostle James called this saving the soul.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.” (James 1:21 BSB)
The word translated “soul” in James 1:21 is the Greek word “Psyche.” This word means self or inner being, and refers to the human soul which contains the intellect, will, emotions, and personality. This is different from the word used for the human spirit. Look at what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians…
…”Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In this verse the word for “soul” is once again “Psyche,” but the Greek word for “spirit” is “Pneuma.” This word means breath or wind and is referring to the eternal part of a person that is breathed into him or her by God. It is what was referred to in Genesis 2:7…
…”Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”
Repentance is a matter of the mind (soul) which can occur before or after salvation of the spirit (we will discuss this more fully once we arrive at the Doorway of Salvation). It starts with a change of thinking, but it doesn’t stop there.
We will pick this back up tomorrow after we think about what has been said in…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 469: Pathway to Restoration – Part 9