Repentance is a “Change of Mind,” Nothing
Else
The Greek word for “repent” here is
“metanoeo,” which translated into English means “to change one’s mind.” It does
not mean to stop sinning, since that would mean self-righteous works for
salvation.
We are commanded to repent and believe the
Gospel; not repent and turn from sin.We turn to Jesus Christ to be forgiven of
our sins; we don’t turn from our sins in order to trust God, Jesus Christ.
There is much confusion over the phrase
“turn from sin,” but if the Biblical teaching that eternal life is a free gift
is not forgotten, then the truth becomes very clear.A gift cannot be
earned.Salvation is not a reward, it is the free gift of God (Romans 5:15;
6:23).Renouncing one’s sins is quite different than ceasing from committing
sin.
Biblical repentance is a change of mind.We
find the word “believe” mentioned 85-times in the Gospel of John, but the word
“repent” is never mentioned even once.Salvation is by grace though faith in
Christ alone.
Salvation is without works of
self-righteousness.Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on
Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Amen!We are saved by the IMPUTED righteousness of Jesus Christ.
We are saved solely by Jesus’ righteousness,
and not by our own self-righteousness in any way.The desire to forsake one’s
sins is not a prerequisite to faith in Christ. The sincere admission of one’s
guilt of sin for breaking God’s commandments is sufficient.
It is not what we can do for God that saves
us; but rather, what Jesus Christ did for us through His work of
redemption.Jesus Christ paid a debt that He did not owe, because we owed a debt
that we could not pay.
Biblical repentance is realizing that one
has sinned against God by violating God’s holy commandments and turning to
Jesus Christ by faith to be forgiven.
I believe it is every Christian’s privilege
and duty to make clear God’s plan of salvation wherever and in whatever
vocation he or she may be (Proverb 11:30; Mark 16:15; 1st Thessalonians 2:4;
Matthew 28:19, 20; 2nd Corinthians 5:11).
Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel.” The word “repent” in Mark 1:15 is the Greek word metanoeo, which
simply means “to think differently” or “a change of mind.”
The King James Bible simply reads in Mark
1:15b, “repent ye, and believe the Gospel” [Emphasis added]. Repent here simply
means TO THINK DIFFERENTLY. It means nothing else.
There is only one “Gospel,” which 1st
Corinthians 15:1-4 defines as: Christ's DEATH on the cross for our sins, His
BURIAL, and bodily RESURRECTION three days later. “Repentance” is simply a
person thinking differently TOWARD GOD, acknowledging that they have sinned
against a holy God. Repentance is not revaluating your life's priorities,
purposing in your heart to turn away from sin, and surrendering your will to
God. That is consecration, which can only be expected of one who is ALREADY a
Christian. Repentance is from unbelief, not sins. A person who repents thinks
differently toward Jesus Christ.
John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil
hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be
reproved.” From reading this Scripture in John 3:20, it would seem to indicate
that the antithesis (exact opposite) is turning away from sin to be saved, but
this is not what it means. This Scripture simply teaches us why people won't
come to the light to be saved. They don't want anything to do with the Holy
Spirit, Who convicts men of sin, righteousness and judgment. John 16:8, “And
when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment.”
No one has ever been saved apart from the
Gospel (Romans 10:14). Repentance is simply a person agreeing with God
(thinking differently). God says in the Bible that all men are sinners (Romans
3:10-23). God says that we all deserve to die for our sins—both a physical
death, and also to spend eternity burning in the Lake of Fire (Romans 6:23;
Revelation 21:8; 20:13-15). Ah, but God in His love sent His only begotten Son
into the world to die on the cross for our sins (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). Jesus
was buried. He miraculously and bodily resurrected three days later (1st
Corinthians 15:1-4). Thus, all men who believe the Gospel are saved (John
6:28-29, 1st Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:13). These are the things that you
must think different about. Mark 1:15b says to, “repent (change your mind) and
believe the Gospel.” Repentance is the acknowledgment of my SINNERSHIP and need
for the Gospel. It's all really quite simple.
It is unbiblical for anyone to teach that a
lost sinner must forsake their sinful lifestyle to be saved. Argue as you may,
"repentance" in the Bible simply means "a change of
mind." Salvation is as simple as a
person realizing their guilt as a sinner, and turning in faith to the Saviour
for salvation.
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