In Christian theology there is an underlying idea that mankind cannot have a relationship with God because of Adam’s sin. Jesus, in time, came and gave mankind a way to be redeemed (the death of Jesus compensated God for mankind’s sin). Our response to being redeemed is to believe in the name of the Son of God, have faith, and repent. Somehow the definition of the word repent has become a turning away from sin. Let’s look at the word repent.
– repent (Strong’s H5162) – to be sorry (an emotion) – also translated as comfort or comforted.
– repent (Strong’s H7725) – to turn back (an action) – also translated return, returned, brought back, bring again, come again, back again, will again, bring, restored, restored, delivered, go again, call, again, brought, to turn, render, gone back, home again, etc.
– repent (Strong’s G3340) – to think differently, reconsider – also translated repented.
– repent (Strong’s G3338) – regret, care afterwards (emotion after the fact) – also translated repented.
– repentance (Strong’s G3341) – reversal of decision
It would appear the idea of repent is to return or what one is returning to, and not what one is returning from. The first time the word is recorded in the New Testament is in Matthew 3:2 where John the Baptist proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” The word repent as used by John is to think differently or reconsider. John was saying to think differently because the realm of heaven is coming closer. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20b-21).
John spoke of the kingdom of heaven (a place), and Jesus spoke of the kingdom ruled over by God. John spoke of the domain and Jesus of the dominion. To repent is not saying, “Jesus is better than going to hell,” instead it is saying “We are returning to the idea of the authority of God.” John spoke of a place coming to us, and Jesus spoke of a renewing of our mind back to seeing God as to one who rules over all things. Repentance is an act of the mind and the heart (a reversal of a decision not to trust God). God did not hide from mankind in the Garden of Eden; mankind hid from God. The sin of Adam did not stop God from seeking for Adam; it stopped Adam from seeing God’s authority, love, and grace. John said the kingdom is coming close enough to touch, and Jesus said God is ruling over the kingdom from inside of you.
Jesus told of two sons who were asked by their father to do something. When the father asked the first son, “He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went” (Matthew 21:29). The word “regretted” in that verse is translated “repented” in the KJV. The son first had a change of the mind and heart then he took an action based on the change. That is what repentance is, a change in the way one thinks and feels about something.
The turning away from sin is a result of turning back to God and not a requirement. Love covers a multitude of sin (see 1 Peter 4:8), and God is Love (see 1 John 4:8). Peter preached, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38b). You have killed Jesus; now change your mind (reconsider / repent) and be fully immersed in Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (forgiveness/God’s act of grace), and the kingdom of God (in the form of the Holy Spirit) will come dwell in you. Peter was saying, have faith in God because God said, “I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins (Isaiah 43:25).
© 2012, Tim D. Coulter Sr.