Repentance is a word that we throw around in Christian circles. What does it mean to repent? The Greek word is metanoeō. It means “to change one's mind, i.e., to repent, to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.”
What does that mean? It means that we want to change direction, to turn around and follow a different path from the one we are currently on. It’s a complete about-face. It means facing whatever the sin is and turning away from it with contrition.
“Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness.” (Strong’s Lexicon.)
Repentance is a Holy U-Turn!
How often I have sinned and come to Jesus for forgiveness. Not once has He ever turned me away. He has accepted and forgiven me over and over.
“Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 (NET)
It’s Biblical for us to confront sin in a brother or sister, but this should always be done with sensitivity and love. We are all one decision away from a sinful choice. We aren’t in a position to cast stones, but to forgive and encourage repentance.
Repentance: It’s a powerful and lovely word.