Hello everyone 
,
The topic I’d like to address today is repentance 
.
What is repentance? Most of the time, people think that repentance means saying sorry to God about a wrongdoing they have done, feeling guilty about it 
or regretting it. That is not exactly false. In fact, that is a part of repentance. But truly, that’s not all there is to it.
Repentance comes from the English word repentance, which comes from the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia) 
.
Meta = “after” or “change.”
Noia (from nous) = “mind,” “understanding,” or “perception.”
So metanoia literally means “a change of mind” or “a transformation of one’s inner perspective.” 
In the New Testament, it’s not just about feeling sorry for sin, but about a deep change of heart 
and direction, turning away from sin and turning toward God 
.
Matthew 4:17
“Repent (metanoeite), for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
So yes, feeling guilty and remorseful, as well as apologizing for the sin, is a part of repentance 
, but true repentance involves change 
.
Okay, here is the thing: I’m not saying the change has to be immediate, I’m not saying that one can’t stumble anymore or has to be perfect. No, I just mean that you have to be willing to change your way.
If you repent, knowing full well you will intentionally sin again (even if you do feel regret about it), that is not repentance 
.
True repentance means you say sorry about the sin 
, then actually do something to turn away from it. Oh yes, it happens to stumble and fall again 
, but what matters is that you truly try and that you truly do change your mind and way. What matters is rising again 
.
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”
One more thing: don’t run away from repentance. Maybe you fear you’ll fall again and think, “What’s the point?” But avoiding repentance is already giving up. Repentance is simply a heart willing to change , even if the process is slow.
Repentance is a mind willing to change, willing to fight against old ways 
Jesus is always willing to forgive 
, even when we do stumble again. 
.
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
This verse is what Jesus asks us to do, because that’s what He is doing for us . Of course, it’s not because we know He’ll always forgive that we are going to take advantage of that. He knows the heart of those who truly repent. And He forgives those who do so .
The best advice I can give for repentance is simple: always do it with a sincere heart 
, willing to fight for a change. Not just willing, but fighting for it . And eventually, actually change .
It’s a process, as are a lot of things in this walk with Him. But God is patient 
, and what we need to do is simple: try our hardest . Not trying halfway, no, truly trying, with an honest heart . And from that is born true repentance 
. And from that true repentance is born definitive change 
.
Little reflection to have 
: Am I truly repenting? Am I truly trying to change my way after repentance, or am I just creating excuses instead?
Remember, repentance is not about perfection but about direction. Keep turning back to Him and He will not fail you 
.
Repentance is not just feeling sorry; it’s deciding to change your life and follow what is good, guided by God’s love and grace.