Have you ever heard that you need to repent to be saved or that if you don’t repent God won’t forgive you? I have many times. I was taught that repenting was asking God to pardon me for my actions. After that I needed to straighten up because God wasn’t in the business of forgiving me over and over again.  The importance of repentance is commonly taught and preached. From the idea that we need to clean up to be in God’s family to laying face down in the dirt begging for God to forgive us and many other versions of repentance.

Sounds good, right? Us changing direction because of our sincere regret for some “sin” we have committed, but this change of direction seldom lasts for any length of time. The reason it doesn’t have lasting results has to do with our deep ingrained misunderstanding of the too good to be true news of Jesus. Our efforts have no effect on God’s favor and kindness (Grace). We can’t stop it. His Love pours abundantly on ALL of mankind. God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, NOW God’s wonderful favor and kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21) 

“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (Galatians 3:3) If “repent” has any thing to do with our works it is in direct contradiction of the Gospel and the Covenant we live in. The Greek word “metanoia” which has been translated as repent, does not mean us changing our actions or begging for forgiveness. “Metanoia” means  to change our mind about what we believe about Jesus.

When Peter said, ” Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Peter was talking to Jews who didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah. Peter clearly was sharing that Jesus was who He said He was. The meaning of “metanoia”  is still the same today. Jesus is the final sacrifice and we are NOW in the New Covenant of favor and kindness.

Our behavior will never change God’s love for us and believing this will produce peace and joy in our life that will exceed anything we could have ever dreamt of.  In Christ we are perfect, righteous, and holy (period). New Covenant repentance is believing God has loved you from the foundation of the world. Ignore the deception that is often taught and bask in the Glory of Jesus. In Jesus, everyone’s salvation is secure, whether they know Jesus or even believe in Jesus, God’s love doesn’t waver. He will never abandon any of His children. Every is able to live life as a child of the most high.

Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead to bring us back home under the favor and kindness of our loving Father. God loves you, is pleased with you, and sees you as “His perfect masterpiece.” (Ephesians 2:10) You are loved by God’s unconditional, unwavering, limitless love. You are forgiven and God sees you as perfect. In Christ you are forever saved, even if you mess up. You are married to Christ and He will never divorce you. You are accepted by your Father in heaven. Everyone is in right standing with God forever. The old man filled with shame, guilt, and condemnation died with Christ and in His resurrection you are a new creation. You are part of thee royal family as a prince or princess! The more these truths are planted in our hearts, the more they grow and our lives begins to explode with peace, love, and joy that surpasses anything we could have previously imagined.

God see us not by how much we do or don’t do, but as His beloved child who He is well pleased. Changing repentance from focusing on your mess up to gratitude for Jesus is the truth about repentance! Hallelujah, the Gospel is always too good to be true. You are perfectly loved and accepted regardless of how you pray, how often you pray, if you fast, or how often you read the Bible. You are a son/daughter not a servant and in your house you can be thankful the Lord came to serve you!

Heavenly Father we thank you that today we begin to see ourselves the way that you see us. Thank you that no longer do we need to fall victim to the lie that we need to continually ask for something we have already been given. We are Loved eternally because of Jesus. Thank you that repentance when correctly translated is changing our minds and becoming Son focused rather than sin focused. Thank you that Your grace and mercy endures forever Lord. We thank you and praise you for who we are!

With Love and Blessings:

Kurt & Katy Adkins