MATTHEW 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
In the New Testament, the term "repent" refers to a shift in perspective that leads to a modification of behavior.
Asking for forgiveness is not part of repentance. You could grovel all day long and never repent.
To repent is not to feel sadness, remorse, or regret. Even if you are deeply sorry for what you did and are filled with sadness, you can still refuse to repent.
Repentance does not imply "shaping up" or "living right."
Even without repentance, it is feasible to stop sinning. For a variety of causes, people can stop sinning (at least temporarily).
Your beliefs, not mainly your actions, are what repentance has to do with. Do ideas influence behavior? Surely. To comprehend truth, however, we must examine them independently.
You could define repentance as "waking up to truth" or "coming to your senses".
Repentance has less to do with guilt and more to do with unbelief. But because we are so aware of our transgression, most people only consider repentance in terms of ceasing to sin.
What you think will decide how you live and behave.
According to Biblical teaching, a belief is something you have believed to be true and deserving of action, not only a mental concept.
"Shape up and do right" does not equate to repentance. It calls for transformation. However, a shift in belief rather than guilt is what has caused the transformation.
It doesn't take much effort to choose the new, better option when you learn new knowledge and see it as the best course of action for you.
So, once we read, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand", what was Jesus actually telling? Change your views! God is in charge here!
SAY THIS: The New Testament provides the knowledge I need to change my beliefs, so they are in line with reality.
