Romans 2:4 says, “God’s kindness leads us to repentance.” 

Repentance may feel like a rather old-fashioned word; sometimes it comes across as a harsh word. We’ve probably heard it threatening fiery sermons that feel rather punitive. 

Yet, repentance may be different than what we assume it is and may offer more than we imagine.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words says that the Greek word METANOEO means “to perceive afterwards” and “signifies to change one’s mind or purpose, always, in the N. T., involving a change for the better.” 

If METANOEO was a traffic sign, it would be a U-turn: we turn 180 degrees, from where we have been to a new understanding. 

Living near some of my grandchildren, several Saturdays a month they come over for the day. 

As you can imagine, having been a child yourself, children squabble. 

One child says something unkind or grabs something the other child has. The other child, feeling put upon, pushes back with tears, harsh words, or physical actions. 

When that happens, I bring each child up onto the sofa on either side of me. We talk about what just happened. 

I listen. They each explain. Tears, excuses, and befuddlement abound.

Then I talk about how their squabble caused a break in the relationship between them. 

Each one gets to express themselves. Each gets to notice how the other one felt in that moment.

Then we talk about how we could do the relationship better.

When the lightbulb goes on, reconciliation occurs without my prompting it. 

One child acknowledges their overstep and apologizes. This involves a hug, an “I’m sorry,” or a toy shared that previously had been confiscated.

That’s METANOEO.

The U-turn happens as the child sees the situation from a new perspective, understands the part they have played, and changes their mind about how they will act. 

When I have the lightbulb go off in my heart after something I have thought or done, I repent. I change directions.

I am saying to God, 

“Yikes! I get it. 

 

I was headed away from You, God. 

 

My thinking is disordered. 

 

I caused harm to the relationship by MY choice. 

 

I’m not wanting to be that kind of person. 

 

I want to turn from sin, from harm done in my heart connection with You, God, to being a person that is different than I have been. 

 

I want reordered thinking, thinking that reflects Your ways, not mine.”

When my relationship and vision of God sits true, strong, and secure, I see His goodness and His love for me. 

Then I can more readily turn from MY OWN WAY to HIS OWN WAY. 

I’m like my grandchild: snuggling up to God, bringing my “I’m sorry” words, wanting to restore the relationship.

God—ever kind, ever loving—wants me close. His kindness leads me to recognize and admit my inadequacies, leave behind unwise thinking and choices, and turn around into an intimate affectionate relationship with Him.

I experience freedom: freedom from my wrong perspective, freedom to looking from His Kingdom mindset perspective. 

Freedom sets me on a new path to become more fully like Jesus, the One I long to please and be like as I mature into His image. 

What’s the word REPENT feel like to you?

If you viewed it differently, how might you, too, METANOEO?

Featured photos are courtesy of Jim Wilson and Benjamin Voros on Unsplash.