repentance- From the Greek words metanoia and metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind or purpose; to change one's mind from the natural (man) mind to the supernatural (Christ) mind; to change one's mind about who you are in Christ; to change from a focus on things of this world to a focus on things above; to change from an unbeliever to a believer in Christ. The Greek word metamelomai means to regret, repent; feel remorse. This word refers to emotions. An example of the translation of metamelomai is in Matthew 27:3. Judas felt remorse (changing his emotions) for betraying Jesus but did not change his mind as he proceeded to hang himself.
There are 22 New Testament references to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
2 Cor. 7:10 "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death (sin)."
It is the kindness of God that leads one to repentance.
Romans 2:4, Paul addresses non-believers, "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubborness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."
The act of being saved, "born again," is the first step in repentance. When one changes his or her mind about Jesus and accepts Him as Savior and Lord while also acknowledging that Jesus died once for all of our sins; past, present and future, a renewal process begins to transform the mind from man to Christ.
We all passed through judgment with Jesus on the cross. Once in union with Christ (in Christ) repentance does not make sense
as you are already one Spirit with Him.
There is no separation from God for those that know Him.
1 Cor 2:16 Paul states, "For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."
Paul is a wonderful example of repentance. While he (Saul at the time) was traveling on the road to Damascus, the description is provided in Acts 9:3-4 "As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Demascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
The conversion of Saul to Paul continues to be described in Acts 9 as Saul transforms from a murderer of the disciples of Christ to being filled with the Holy Spirit through the mercy and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Paul changed his mind (repented) about God, about Jesus, about the Resurrection, and about those who followed Christ. The rest is history as Paul begins to preach Christ wherever he goes and later writes letters to the Romans, the Galatians, the Corinthians, the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, the Thessalonians, Timothy, and Titus.
