I still believe in the concept of repentance. I know that might shock some people, but I believe there is a difference between confession of sin and repentance. The Bible actually uses different words to describe these different concepts (see 1 John 1:9 and Luke 13:3).
According to Strong's Dictionary of Greek Words, this Greek word metanoeō (G3340) translated repent in the King James Version, means:
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
According to Thayer's Greek Definitions, this Greek word means:
1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent
2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins
These Greek dictionaries say nothing about repentance having anything to do with confession of sins! These dictionaries both assert the fact that repentance is a change of mindset.
Repentance through the Grace Message
I believe that this change of mindset comes through revelation of truth – this can come through studying the Word of God with the right perspective: the right perspective is that God is love, God is good and the Gospel is the good news.
The latest Christian message of no-condemnation, the moving away from keeping rules, is known as the message of grace. The revelation and agreement with, the message of grace is the repentance, the change of mindset that we need.
Grace means unmerited favour; but the grace message emphasises the power of God working in the heart of man, as opposed to believers having to keep rules and principles in order to merit God’s favour and blessing. We need to move away from believing that we need to do, in order to become.
The emphasis with the message of grace is all about what Jesus has already done for us on the cross. Grace is all about who we are in Christ right now – rather than the efforts that we need to make, the principles we need to follow and the formulas we need to use, in order to become who we are meant to be.
0 comments:
Post a Comment