The English word re·pent According to Miriam Webster's Dictionary means : to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life 2 a: to feel regret or contrition b: to change one's mind transitive verb 1: to cause to feel regret or contrition 2: to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for - re·pent·er noun

In the New Testament there are two Greek words used to express a true repentance. "The most used is the word "metanoeo" from the pre-fix "meta" meaning "later" or "change" and the word "nous" meaning "mind." "To later change one's opinion, feelings, or purpose. It carries with it the nuance of "to regret" or "to rue" Metanoia is the noun form, and means a subsequent emendation, or more commonly, a change of mind, feeling, will or thought. (1) However, context is always the supreme factor in any definition.
In Biblical usage, repentance is change of mind, will and purpose based on hearing the gospel and developing trust in the Word of God and the person of Jesus Christ.

The person in need of repentance is one who does not recognize the authority of the Kingdom of God and it's Sovereign in any real way. Thus the pre-repentant has a mind set that is self-governing. The pre-repentant mind and heart says, "I am going to do what I want to do for my own prosperity and pleasure." This is the essence of sin.

Long before the act, there is the set of the will. Thus, the true-repentant is one who takes the opposite track, "I am going to do what I want to do, and what I want to do is to love,, serve, and obey God." Note that there must of necessity be a change of mind, and will before there is a change of purpose.
The pre-repentant heart is captured by one of three internal forces: seeking the pleasurable desires of the flesh, seeking greedily what can be had materially, or seeking ascendancy of position in social order. The true repentant is captured by the love of God, and neighbor.

Repentance therefore is not just sorrow or regret leading to reformation although it has that element. True repentance is a life long process of adjusting mind, will and purpose to the mind, will and purpose of God.

True repentance involves the process of awakening to the truth of present standing with God in which the person sees Himself separated from God and in danger of the judgment. It involves the fact that the person must see himself as guilty before God of high crimes, and treason, and agree with the truth of God's evaluation. He must then purpose in the mind, will, and emotions to turn around and walk with God. Thus having purposed, he has believed God's Word and is now ready to accept God's offer of pardon and grace to aid him as he serves God. If his heart is true God then responds by sending the Holy Spirit into the repentant heart to witness to him of Christ's presence and salvation's reality. (2)

Pastor Paul Ratliff

1. TDNT p. 639 Brumley et al. Eerdmans 1985
2. For a notation reading: Sermonindex.net Paris Reidhead: So Great A Salvation

By: Pastor Paul Ratliff
Wynnewood Assembly Of God
Wynnewood OK 73098
E-mail: wynnewoodaog@att.net

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