Repentance. It's a word not used often enough by those who are believers in Jesus Christ. Even when used, it is usually not used correctly or understood to its fullest extent. The Bible speaks of repentance often. Jesus himself preached it numerous times throughout the Gospels. In fact, we all know that repentance is necessary for entering into the fullness of what God has for us as even Jesus declared, in Luke 5:32, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance". Another message Jesus preached that we should be preaching is, "Repent for the Kingdom of God has arrived or in some translations (is at hand)".

Growing up in the church, the message I heard preached overwhelmingly was the message of forgiveness: that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for our sins. Even as a child, I recall the sinner's prayer and those words they taught us to lead non-believers to salvation. I remember many times while growing up, asking for God's forgiveness for stealing candy, staying up past my bedtime or lying to my parents. I always knew that no matter what I did, or how many times I did it, God would forgive me. I was right in thinking this because God's faithful and just to do it. In fact, forgiveness of sins has been the hallmark of most great 20th century evangelical movements; Billy Graham Crusades being a perfect example. Forgiveness is a popular message. It's a message of hope, relief, restoration, and most importantly, it touches humanity at its most weak and feeble place, sin. Only over the last couple of years have I realized a need for a message much less popular among believers and non-believers alike. It is the message of repentance. Too oft, it seems we confuse forgiveness and repentance. The Bible itself makes a clear distinction between the two. Luke 24:46-47 says, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Interesting that Jesus makes a distinction between repentance and forgiveness of sins. Much of the New Testament goes on to declare and repeat what is stated in this passage. This is also the very message that even John the Baptist preached in preparing the way for the coming Savior.

Is it enough to just be forgiven?
"Repent" is a hard word to swallow. The "p" sound in "pent" sort of cuts you in the jugular of your pride. What? Repent? Me? It is much easier for us to ask God to forgive us and leave well enough alone. God does His part as His word declares, and we sort of do ours. We move on with the intention of never committing that sin again. Sometimes we're successful and sometimes we fall. However, if we do fall, we know God will forgive us. Repentance on the other hand, is an act of our will. The burden of repentance does not rest on God's shoulders, but on ours. The word "repent" itself is teeming with depth. The Greek word for repent is metanoeo which essentially means, "to change your mind". Looking even to our own English derivative. The prefix "re" implies that we are doing something again or establishing once again a reality that already existed. "Pent" has been commonly known to mean five, but it also means "upper" or "top" thus the word "penthouse"; the fancy apartment at the top of the building. We must call true repentance what it is: a turning away. Repentance is a made up mind to turn away from a lifestyle, a habit, an addiction, an idol, but most importantly, a way of thinking. Repentance is reclaiming our "top mind", the original mind God has given us. Repentance is returning to how God originally intended us to think, act, do, and speak. Dare I say many Christians these days have sought forgiveness, but have not yet demonstrated true repentance?

I am overwhelmingly frustrated with Christians who lead a defeated life. Each day is a struggle and they continue to slip back into old habits and old ways of thinking. I realize there are various levels of growth amongst us all. This walk of faith is truly a process and the gamut of Christianity encompasses many levels. However, I cannot tell you how many Born Again Christians I encounter that face the same struggles they did 23 years ago when they first found God. I believe repentance is the key missing in lives of many a believer. So many Christians have yet to completely turn their mind around. They've only made it about 90 degrees or so. I often admonish believers to seek after the mind and purpose God originally intended for us. When we grab a hold of that, we will be unstoppable. I believe this is why the enemy wages war so heavily on the minds of humanity. Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Disorder, Psychosis, and Depression are just names we've assigned to a disease that's been at work in the spiritual realm since sin entered the picture. It is the attack on the sound mind God gave us in the beginning. We have a poor self-image and we are unable to see who God has truly created us to be: victorious. This is why the Bible commands us to renew our minds. The awesomeness of God is that He has given us the tools we need to live a Godly life. We need Him for repentance. We can't do what He's called us to do without Him, but it is ultimately our choice. God is a gentleman; He does not force us to choose Him. Is the God we serve not great enough to deliver us from everything that is not like Him? I wouldn't serve Him if He wasn't. That is true grace. Grace is not just "unmerited favor" as we so often say, nor is it a cover up for us to live "free" and sin. First Peter declares that the true grace of God is divine enablement or, the power in Him to do everything He's calling us to do.

To repent is much more than simply asking for forgiveness. Anyone can do that. Repentance is a choice to die to what we desire and live in who God originally intended us to be. Repentance is the path less traveled, but a made up mind is not easily swayed. We need to bring our minds from the basement and begin functioning out of that lavish penthouse of reason and soundness God has given us. God is not just calling us to seek His forgiveness, He's calling us to seek His face, turn away from the things that do not glorify Him, and reclaim our "top mind" to the glory of Him.