At the core of the Christian experience is the word “Repent.”
Jesus said it:
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” — Matthew 4:17
Peter said it:
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. — Acts 2:38
Even in the Old Testament, we read it:
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! — Ezekiel 18:32
But what does it mean?
The Greek word behind “repent” is metanoeo which is a combination of the Greek words “change” and “mind.” In other words, repentance literally means to change your mind and to change your mindset. It is a shift, a switch, a transformation of heart and mind. What once was valuable is now not, and what once was not valuable now is. What once was desired, now is not, and what once was undesirable now is longed for. Where once there was darkness, now there is light.
Repentance flips the switch.
This is the word God chose to place as the foundation of the Christian experience. It is the fundamental response to the good news of Jesus. I turn my heart from the things of me and redirect it to the things of God.
So for two weeks, we will be exploring two deeply personal “repentances” that happen in the hearts and minds of a person intent on following Jesus.