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“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””
When he stepped into his public ministry, he encouraged people to repent and believe the Gospel. We instantly think of sin when we hear the word “repent,” meaning we think repenting is always about confessing our sin. Repenting from sin is important, but that’s not what Jesus was talking about.
Definition of Repent
Repent is the Greek word metanoeō, which is a combination of two words; meta and noeō. Meta means; with, after, behind. It’s a preposition that modifies the verb noeō. Noeō means; to perceive with the mind, to understand, to have understanding, to think upon, heed, ponder, consider.
Metanoeō or Repent means; to change one's mind, to turn one’s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.
So repentance does have to do with turning away from sin but more specifically it is about changing our minds about the beliefs that drive sin. Repentance is when you do a deeper work than just apologizing for a sinful action. It’s when you go into your heart beliefs and make adjustments.
What you believe generates your thoughts. Your thoughts then lead to feelings and emotions. Those feelings and emotions then give way to action. So whether it be anger or adultery, sin is the fruit of your beliefs and what you think on. To repent is to turn away from the thinking that leads to sin. In this passage, Jesus teaches us to change the way we think about God’s kingdom because he’s bringing us good news.
Definition of Gospel
The original word for gospel is euangelion. Euangelion means; glad tidings of the kingdom of God, the proclamation of the grace of God manifest and pledged in Christ, good news.
GOSPEL MEANS GOOD NEWS!!! In this case, the good news about the kingdom of God!!
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was, of course, addressing sinful actions, but he was saying something deeper. He said that we would need to change the way we think about God, and his kingdom, because his kingdom was now here. There wasn’t much good news about the kingdom of God at that time. There wasn’t necessarily bad news, there was just an expectation that God would send his savior and establish his kingdom. That time had come!
Mark 1:14 After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
What time was fulfilled?
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Jesus is that light!
3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upond his shoulder, and his name shall be callede Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Jesus began to establish this prophecy in his time.
Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
The Good News About God’s Kingdom
This was the time the prophets spoke about. The time when God would send his savior. The time when a great light would be seen in the darkness. The time when the government of God’s kingdom would be on the shoulders of his messiah. The time when the kingdom of God begins on earth until all of his enemies are made his footstool, the last one being death.
Jesus was saying you’re going to have to change the way you see God. Jesus introduced us to the concept of God as a loving father. Moses gave us truth, but Jesus gave us grace AND truth. Jesus showed us that God’s motivation toward mankind was love. Jesus displayed the mercy of God. Jesus displayed the heart of God by forgiving people and healing all manner of diseases.
I can imagine in our language, Jesus saying, you’re going to have to change the way you think about God because the time of him dwelling among you is here. God will now be with you forevermore. Walk with me, and I will show you his kingdom. Yes, there is still an end and a final judgment, but God is making himself available in a way you never imagined. He is accessible through the work I will do for you. The Law still applies, but I am the way through which you approach God, and I make you righteous through my blood. My father is good, and he loves you.
So we must change the way we think about God and make sure all of our thoughts about God are in line with who Jesus showed us God really is.
Kingdom vs. Religious Mindsets
True repentance is a mind-renewal journey, the result being transformation continually into the image of Christ. 2020 was a year that presented many obstacles along that journey. You may need to repent from the way 2020 made you think!!
The world is experiencing collective trauma. If we’re not careful we’ll slip into the same hopelessness and fear as the rest of the world. As Christians, we have a secret weapon against gloominess and oppression, we have the joy of the Lord. And we have the Word of God to plant in our minds to help us in every situation. Because his kingdom is in us, we have a never-ending supply of power and hope.
We do not have to adopt the world’s destructive, doom and gloom mindsets, we can have hope in every situation, no matter what, because we have the favor of God in our lives and we have the hope of eternity! This world may get darker, but God’s kingdom is also at hand, getting brighter and brighter!!
Do you perceive God’s kingdom increasing? Or do you only see the darkness growing? The truth is, both are growing, but if all you see is the darkness growing, it’s time to repent and believe the Gospel!!
We need to check our mindsets and make sure our thoughts are in line with God's proclamation of His kingdom's good news. If you’re having trouble seeing His kingdom and finding good news in today’s world, change the way you think and believe that there is good news all around you because God’s kingdom is at hand.
“As he thinks in his heart, so is he…”
We think we are products of our upbringing, society, our education, and our communities. Those are factors, but by and large, we are products of our mindsets, regardless of where they came from.
The way you think shapes your paradigms, perspectives, and points of view. Your mindsets determine the way you live and will influence your choices. There are nuances to the subject of mindsets, such as the beliefs of your heart, self-worth, past experiences, theological persuasion, and a few more, but by and large, your current reality is a direct reflection of your mindsets.
You may have more than one, but in general, the way you think, what you think about, and the way you allow your mindsets to influence you, determine the quality of life you will have and your general outlook on life.
MINDSET: A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations
Are your preconceptions casting a shadow on your view of the world and your future? I wonder if you have any bad theology lingering in your mind that keeps you from believing there is good news all around you? It’s hard to repent sometimes. We’ve been programmed our entire lives to believe the way believe, changing that almost feels wrong at times. Remember, Jesus teaches you to change the way you think and believe the good news about his kingdom.
Identifying Your Mindsets
Let’s look at a few examples of mindsets people have. See if you identify with any of these mindsets, and look for ways you can change the way you think to make sure you’re believing the good news about God’s kingdom. Case by case, life situation by life situation, there is good news regarding God’s kingdom. Your job is to renew your mind and believe that good news.
The fixed mindset
The growth mindset
The fear mindset
The lazy mindset
The envy mindset
The business mindset
The dreamer mindset
The follower mindset
The greed mindset
The gratitude mindset
The confident mindset
The creative mindset
The short-term mindset
The angry mindset
The productive mindset
It’s a helpful exercise to understand yourself by identifying the way you think, that way you can know where you need to repent and believe the good news about God’s kingdom. This list of mindsets is neither right or wrong. This list only serves to help you understand yourself better. You may not know you have certain patterns of thought. Since repentance is a process of changing the way you think, it can be helpful to identify patterns. Let’s look a little deeper.
FIXED MINDSET
Likes safety and stability
Wants to maintain what they have
Doesn't pursue change
Has trouble seeing other people's perspectives
GROWTH MINDSET
Wants to improve
Puts effort toward learning
Acquires new skills
Seeks out new relationships
VICTIM MENTALITY
Blames other people or the world's systems for their problems
Stays stuck in destructive patterns
Justifies holding on to the past
Makes excuses for not taking personal responsibility
Christian Mindsets
Now let’s look at some common Christian mindsets. We think our Christian mindsets are always based on the Bible but that’s not necessarily true. Our Christian mindsets come from what we’ve been taught, how we interpret our life’s circumstances, and our general view of God.
Do you have any of these mindsets? Remember, these lists only serve to help you identify areas where you may not believe the truth about the good news of God’s kingdom. If your beliefs about God and his kingdom are not based on the good news, it’s time to repent.
GOD’S IN CONTROL
Everything that happens is part of God's plan
God isn't causing it but he's allowing it
God could have done something but he chose not to
DOOM AND GLOOM
The world is getting darker
The end is near
The wicked are in control and are prospering
LOST WORLD
We just have to endure until the end
We're all sinners
Judgment is coming soon
VICTORIOUS MINDSET
Jesus has defeated the enemy
Jesus has given us his victory
Jesus is currently reigning through us
Do you see yourself in any of these beliefs? While some of these areas touch on deep theological constructs, I pray it is helpful as you make the journey to repent and believe the Gospel. Changing the way you think is hard, but when you base your beliefs on the good news, you will not go wrong.
We have believed what we believe for a long time. I want this series of articles to help you become rooted and grounded in the good news of God’s kingdom. We’ll continue to look at what Jesus accomplished through his death, burial, and resurrection. I pray you subscribe to my email list and walk with me through this Gospel journey. (subscribe below)
I’ll leave you with a proclamation of a very important aspect of the Gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
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