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GENUINE REPENTANCE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6
James 4:9

2 Corinthians 7:9-10

 

“For godly sorrow

worketh repentance…”

 

GENUINE REPENTANCE
 
What is repentance? Two Greek words are translated as repent or repentance in the New Testament. “Metanoeo” refers to an act of repentance with a change of mind. It involves regret and sorrow, accompanied by a genuine change of heart toward God. In a practical sense, it implies a pious sorrow for unbelief and sin and a turning from them unto God and the Gospel of Christ. Another word is “metamelomai,” which expresses the desire that what is done may be undone, accompanied by regrets and remorse, but with no real change of heart.
 
Be afflicted: The word translated as “afflicted” carries the idea of being broken and feeling wretched. James commands his readers to be afflicted and to be wretched or sorrowful. These are expressions of miserable feelings, a show of grief, remorse, or lament (Luke 18:13).
 
Mourn: To mourn is to experience sadness or grief. The idea is of deep grief and remorse, complete despair that laments over sin the way one mourns the death of a family member. The Lord prescribes, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matt 5:4).
 
Weep: To weep is to express a more profound grief. It is a command to lament. It describes an outward manifestation of the previously mentioned misery and sorrow. Isaiah reminded unfaithful Israel, “And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth” (Isa 22:12).
 
Turn your laughter to mourning: This is another command to cause a change of state from merrymaking to lamentation. They should not rejoice over the wicked and evil deed they have done, but grieve over what the Lord had suffered on the cross, all for our sakes.
 
Will you take heed? Note: True repentance manifests these expressions.
 
THOUGHT: Am I obedient to the above commands?
PRAYER: Father, help me understand the gravity of my sins and repent of my sins with the change of my mind towards God.

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