Why did it take so many messages to come to this? The word is metanoia and means to change your mind. It doesn't mean to turn from or eschew. That would be an action, a work, and you can not be saved by works.
People get confused when they find that repentance does result in changes. They think the changes are part of the repentance... they are not. One follows the other. You repent, you get the Holy Spirit and begin the inner transformation which results in the fruits of the Spirit.
Repentance is an understanding that your old life is something that you no longer desire.
When Peter Preached his first sermon in Acts chapter two, those present were "pierced in the heart" (2:37) though the "convicting" (see John 16:7-8) of the Holy Spirit. And they cried out to the Disciples, "what shall we DO? (Greek, ποιέω, to perform, carry out)". To which Peter did not day, "DO nothing"; but tells them to "REPENT..." (verse 38). In fact, in the next chapter we read, "
Repent therefore, and
be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord".(verse 19) Where the English "be converted" is the Greek verb, ἐπιστρέφω, which means, "to turn about, to turn around", as
from something/someone
to another. This verse is very clear in linking both the "changing of the mind", and the "turning away from" our sins and old life, to the Lord God of the Bible. We read the same thing in 1 Thess. 1:9, "For they themselves show of us what manner of welcome we had unto you, and how you
turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God". Which is the ACTION of true REPENTANCE.
The Book of Jonah is one of the best on Evangelism, and the wideness of the Mercy and Compassion of God, especially to a nation that was not "the elect" children of Israel, in fact, were their greatest enemies at the time. Jonah was sent to them to peach the Gospel for the salvation, to which they "responded" favorably (see chapter 3:6-9), and cried out mightily to God to save them. Verse 10 is very important, "And God saw their WORKS, that they TURNED FROM their evil way (TRUE REPENTANCE); and God relented of the disaster, that he had said that he would bring upon them; and he did it not". The "works" are the fact that they "turned from their evil ways, and to the Lord". It is not as some wrongly suppose, a "merit" that earns someone their salvation. They did not only "change their minds", but also "their lives" by "turning" FROM their old sinful lives, TO God. There is no "merit" in this, but the "obeying" of what the Lord demands all sinners DO. Like the rich ruler in the Gospels, "And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I DO to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18), to which Jesus did not say "do nothing". Or the jailer in Acts 16, "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I DO to be saved?" (v.30).
True Biblical REPENTANCE is not only to "change one's mind" on the Lord or our sinful lives, but also the renouncing and turning from our old sinful lives. As God says in Ezekiel 18:21, "But if the wicked will
turn from all his sins (repents) that he has committed, and
keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right,
he shall surely live,
he shall not die.". And, Joel 2:12-14, "Therefore also now, says the LORD,
turn you even
to me with all your heart, and
with fasting, and with weeping, and
with mourning: And
tear your hearts, and not your garments, and
turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and relents from sending calamity. Who knows if He will
return and have pity, and leave a blessing behind him; even a grain offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?"
